Monday 19th February, 2007.

Tauranga businesses follow Council lead on climate change

Tauranga businesses are following the lead of their City Council whose vehicle fleet was ranked the second most climate-friendly in the country in a recent survey by the Greens.

Twenty Tauranga businesses are leading the way by attending a Sustainable Travel Plan seminar on Tuesday to find out how to tackle sustainable travel issues such as carbon emissions, traffic congestion and flexible working arrangements.

The seminar organised by consultancy firms Opus and Envirostate aims to educate businesses about the benefits of sustainable travel planning.

"It makes smart economic sense to be sustainable when it comes to planning travel" says Calum Revfem, Managing Director of Envirostate. "The business case is very powerful when companies look at fuel savings, reduced carbon emissions and the increased productivity achieved through a healthier workforce and more convenient travel options".

In the first six months of operating a sustainable travel plan the Opus Tauranga office has implemented initiatives such as the purchase of a pool bicycle, a car pooling scheme and improved travel information for staff. As a result there has already been a decrease in the number of staff using a private motor vehicle as their mode of travel to work. Opus Tauranga Manager Nick Gurr is leading the campaign, leaving his company vehicle at work and opting for the bike as his daily commute.

ENDS

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