Green travel policy

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1. The Green Travel Policy sets out Registers of Scotland's (RoS) commitment to greener commuting and business travel. It will enable us to be a climate-friendly, health-promoting and socially-equitable employer.

1.2 This policy applies to all RoS colleagues and contingent workers.

1.3 This policy supports the delivery of our Sustainability & Climate Change Strategy and our journey towards net zero.

1.4 Further information is provided in the Green Travel Procedures document, which this policy should be read in conjunction with.

2. Guiding Principles

2.1 The policy seeks to support sustainable travel choices; this includes travel to and from work and travel for business. Sustainable choices promote environmental, social, and economic wellbeing at the same time. For example, walking rather than driving reduces carbon, promotes health and is economically -inclusive.

2.2 For colleagues with protected characteristics, there may be other factors to consider. Some travel choices may be less accessible, practical, or safe. In such cases, colleagues should choose the option that best meets their circumstances.

3. The Policy

3.1 We are committed in general to reducing our impact on the environment. We are also committed specifically to reducing emissions by encouraging sustainable travel behaviours.

3.2 The policy aims to promote low-carbon travel in line with the sustainable travel hierarchy by:

• Reducing travel needs, with digital communications utilised where possible.
• Encouraging active travel where possible.
• Encouraging the use of public transport where possible, for journeys that cannot be done via active travel.
• Reducing single-occupancy car journeys by encouraging car-sharing where journeys cannot be done by active or public transport.
• Facilitating electric vehicle travel.
• Ensuring plane travel within the UK is only undertaken in exceptional circumstances.

3.3 The aims of the policy will be delivered by:

• Raising colleague awareness of the impacts of fossil fuel-powered travel.
• Supporting sustainable travel choices by providing advice and allowing extra time to undertake journeys for work, where this is needed and where it has no significant impact on business requirements.
• Ensuring that the policy is embedded into our travel approval processes.
• Providing facilities to encourage and support active travel.
• Providing hybrid or electric vehicles for colleague use and hiring environmentally-efficient cars.
• Providing on-site electric vehicle charging facilities for personal use.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 The Sustainability Team is responsible for co-ordinating the development, review, and approval of this policy and any associated procedures. They are also responsible for overseeing its implementation, ensuring that all colleagues understand their role in delivering the aims of the policy and that other relevant roles are assigned appropriately.

4.2 This policy will be made available to all RoS colleagues and contingent workers.

5. Approval and review

5.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Sustainability Team and approved by the Policy and Practice Group annually, unless earlier review is appropriate.