More than half of the UK public now take environmental considerations into account when planning a journey of less than 400 miles, according to a new YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults.
The study, commissioned by Eurostar, found that attitudes to travel are shifting rapidly with a third of respondents claiming that environmental concerns over short haul journeys are more important than a year ago.
This growing awareness of the environmental impact of travel decisions is translating into increased demand for train operators, according to the survey which claims that one in 20 respondents are planning to switch from plane to train over the next year for journeys within the UK or to closer European destinations.
The shift in attitude is also translating into financial success for Eurostar, which this week reported that traveller numbers climbed by more than 21 per cent year-on-year during the first quarter of the year to 2.17 million passengers. Ticket revenue also climbed to a record level, jumping more than 25 per cent year-on-year to £178.4m.
A spokesman for the company said that environmental factors were playing a key role in the increase in traveller numbers, particularly among business customers.
"We're seeing growth across the board with both leisure and business travellers and that is being driven by a range of things, such as greater convenience, punctuality and the lower environmental impact compared with flying, " he said.
Eurostar has invested heavily in presenting itself as a green travel option over the last year. The company announced that it was offset emissions from all its journeys following its move to Kings Cross late last year and also introduced onboard energy meters on all its train as part of an initiative to cut emissions further.
New link from King's Cross St Pancras opens today as Eurostar insists environmental credentials are driving increased passenger numbers 14 Nov 2007
New through-fares designed to make it easier for passengers from the Midlands and the North to opt for Eurostar's "greener alternative" 19 Dec 2007
Proposed tax on long-haul flights could lead to increased ticket prices and fuller planes 01 Feb 2008
EU reaches compromise deal that should see aviation included in emissions trading scheme from 2012 30 Jun 2008
Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
