Towards a sustainable future : encouraging corporate responsibility.

In the current mood with regard to climate change, the motor vehicle is seen as a negative contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, it is a vital component of day to day life in our current cities particularly in relation to businesses of all types. This conundrum is one that forms the background of any initiatives to create a sustainable future in the corporate sector as well as elsewhere. This paper takes a look at one approach to reducing car use associated with the workplace the travel plan. In simple terms, this is a way of reducing car use associated with the workplace. The paper examines the way these plans have been used their strengths and weaknesses in Australia and elsewhere. It then looks at their potential role with benefits to government, the organisations themselves and to employees. The paper goes on to examine the key components of travel plans that have made them successful and those elements that have led them to become simply another plan on the shelf. It concludes with a discussion about the merits of a mandatory vs. voluntary system of travel plans to achieve the goals of reducing car use and at the same time greenhouse gas emissions. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E216297.