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 20 July 2008 18:32 BST

Businesses plan to cut back on flights claims charity

Friday, 16 May 2008 08:51
Business want to cut back on flights, the WWF has claimed
The majority of top UK businesses plan to cut back on business flights in the next decade - with major implications for the UK airport expansion policy, wildlife charity WWF-UK claims.

WWF-UK commissioned a report, which looked at the travel policies among FTSE 350 companies.

Of the 100 surveyed, almost three quarters have, or are in the process of developing, a policy to encourage green business travel, the report found.

In addition, 89 per cent said they expect to cut flights over the next ten years and 85 per cent see videoconferencing as a way to achieve that.
Peter Lockley, head of transport policy at WWF-UK, said: "Our report has revealed that there is a real appetite among many of the UK's biggest businesses to reduce the number of flights they take.

"For many companies, travel is a major contributor to their carbon footprint - more than fifty per cent in some cases - and green alternatives such as videoconferencing not only provide a swift solution for cutting carbon, they can also save businesses time and money."

The WWF said the conclusions throw the plans for a third runway at Heathrow into doubt, as business travellers make up a third of the London airport's passengers.

Mr Lockley added: "The UK’s biggest businesses believe they can fly less and still remain competitive - so why do we need more runways?"

A third runway at Heathrow, which would significantly increase the airport's capacity, is currently at the consultation stage.

If the runway goes ahead, it is likely to be completed around 2020.End of story


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