How can Queenslanders make a contribution?
As Queenslanders, we can all play a part in making transport sustainable. Ways to do this include:
Public transport
Consider using alternative transport travel options, such as public transport, to minimise the use of your motor vehicle. By substituting a 15km drive to work and home with a return train trip once a week, you will save as much as 363kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
Active transport
Consider taking sustainable transport travel options such as active transport. Walking and cycling have many health and environmental benefits. Incorporating walking into your daily routine can be as easy as walking short trips to work, combining walking with the use of public transport or walking to the local shops. Also, cycling during peak hours reduces emissions as well as reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. For example, a person cycling 10km each way to work would save 1073kg of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
For more information, visit walking for transport and cycling in Queensland.
Ecodriving
Consider subtle but smart ecodriving principles to maintain and drive your vehicle in a way that saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Ecodriving Tips
- Drive to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by:
- reducing unnecessary braking and accelerating by driving smoothly and with enough distance from the vehicle in front. This will save fuel
- driving between 1500 and 2500rpm (lower for diesel engines) to improve fuel efficiency
- changing gears sooner rather than later to keep revs below 2500rpm. For automatic, the vehicle will shift up a gear more quickly and smoothly if the driver eases back slightly on the accelerator when the vehicle gathers momentum
- turning the vehicle off when making a quick drop off or pickup. Restarting uses less fuel than idling
- starting your vehicle without idling. Driving is the best way to warm your engine
- reducing the amount of extra weight in the vehicle and any external items that will cause drag
- using air-conditioners only when needed as they use extra fuel
- not speeding. Not only is it dangerous but burns fuel at a faster rate
- planning ahead to reduce the frequency and length of vehicle trips. Especially plan to avoid peak hour city driving.
- Maintain your vehicle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by:
- regularly servicing your vehicle to support fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- keeping tyres inflated to the recommended pressure. Look up the correct pressure in the vehicle maintenance manual or ask a local tyre supplier.
Planning your journey
By better planning your trip you can arrive at your destination faster, save money, and reduce your household transport greenhouse gas emissions. For example: Trip chaining, or combing several errands into one trip, saves time and money, and helps eliminate unnecessary trips. There are lots of ways to work trip chaining into your every day routine, including:
- plan ahead – take a moment to plan your route and think about what else you might need to get done
- make a list – think about everything that you need and get it all done at once. That way, you won’t need to make a last-minute trip to the store
- combine errands – do you need to pick up your dry cleaning today? Why not pick it up tomorrow when you go grocery shopping? Try combining errands into just one trip
- use closer stores – explore your neighbourhood shops. Try walking to lunch at the café down the street instead of driving to one further away
- group your appointments together – if both of your children need to go to the dentist, make it just one trip
- consider one-stop shopping – many stores and shopping centres may offer you the opportunity to get all of your errands done in just one stop
- count the time and money you save!
To help you plan your journey, visit:
- TransLink to plan your bus, train or ferry journey
- traffic cameras by location to see the live traffic web cameras to help plan the best route
- online bicycle maps to discover smart ways of travelling across the growing cycling network.
Car pooling
When walking, cycling or public transport are not possible for your journey, consider car pooling. It can help you save on petrol, parking, car maintenance and stress, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion.
Telecommuting
Talk to your employer about telecommuting opportunities. Telecommuting allows you to work from outside the central workplace, usually from home or in a satellite office. In most cases, telecommuting involves you using technology to access your workplace’s network remotely. Tasks not requiring network access like conducting research, report writing, and preparation of correspondence can be performed away from the office. Telecommuting can be for all or part of a work week, occasionally or regularly. This option might suit you if you work autonomously and do not require close supervision or interaction with other team members.
Reverse the Effect
Where sustainable transport options are not possible, the government’s Reverse the Effect* voluntary offset contribution scheme is another option. The scheme enables you to offset your vehicle emissions. The Queensland Government is helping by matching these contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to a set amount.
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