EST research identifies a ‘green gap’ between good intentions and actual behaviour

Businesses, charities and public sector organisations are keen to operate environmentally friendly fleets, but still have a long way to go, according to new research in England and Wales from the Energy Saving Trust.

This ‘green gap’ - the difference between what organisations say and what they actually do - means that organisations waste considerable amounts of money and produce excessive levels of carbon dioxide emissions from business travel.

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said: “We have come a long way in getting organisations to take the environmental impact of their fleet vehicles seriously. But we need them to have more than just a positive attitude.

“We’re calling on businesses to do more than ‘talk the talk’. Many get full marks for attitude but not for effort; which is a surprise given the money they can save. It really is time to bridge the green gap, cut carbon and save cash.”

Although 60% of fleet managers surveyed said that reducing the environmental impact of their fleet is very important, only 27% have policies in place to do something about it; equating to a ‘green gap’ of 33%.