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Rethinking how we travel can have a big impact on our carbon footprint and help make North Somerset a greener, healthier and happier place for everyone.
Vehicles release dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating air pollution which causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK every year.
Here in North Somerset, our emissions due to road transport continue to increase and now make up almost half (43 per cent) of our total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Transport decarbonisation is an essential part of our action plan to reduce emissions to net zero in North Somerset by 2030.
We cannot continue to use the car in the same way as we have done for the previous 50 years.
Large scale action is urgently needed to drastically reduce these emissions, help limit further global temperature rises, and protect vulnerable communities and natural habitats from heatwaves, flooding and wildfires.
The government wants walking, wheeling and cycling to be the natural first choice for short journeys because they are the least carbon-intensive ways of travelling.
The NHS and World Health Organisation also recommend that adults have at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, so walking, wheeling or cycling short trips could contribute to your weekly total.
More active travel also means fewer cars on our streets, making them quieter and safer.
Top tips:
- set a mile rule – commit to walking or cycling within a certain distance of your home
- nominate one day a week as a car-free day
- if you can’t safely walk or cycle the entire way, could you park further away and do the last part on foot?
- we maintain many cycle routes across North Somerset. Find details of routes on our cycle routes webpage
- if you need more confidence on two wheels, free adult cycle training is available to everyone in North Somerset.
- travelling by train or bus is easier than you might think and a great way to reclaim your time. Plan your journey on bus on the TravelWest website or got to National Rail for trains.
- sometimes it is hard to avoid using the car. Look out for our posts on Facebook over the coming weeks with top tips on how to drive more efficiently, reduce air pollution and minimise emissions
- there are also tips for making greener choices on the making greener choices webpage section on our website.
Stay up to date with the latest news on our Nature and Climate North Somerset Facebook page.