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HM Revenue & Customs
Organisational challenge/context
HMRC has changed the way it plans work so that business travel is minimised and financial and environmental costs are reduced. By chosing a well defined focus, settting targets, measuring achievement and applying quality resources, HMRC have delivered impressive savings.
HMRC is committed to reducing the impact of the organisation on the environment and securing value for money in the way it conducts its business. Key drivers for this are:
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Sustainable Operations in Government travel targets
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Financial challenges set by the 2010 Spending Review
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HMRC’s aim to achieve the highest level of social and community responsibility and avoid risks to reputation
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Staff feedback encouraging involvement in sustainable travel issues
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Wellbeing and work-life balance
Interventions
HMRC’s approach includes:
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Comprehensive/coherent strategic approach to travel.
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High level leadership demonstrated through the appointment of the Chief Finance Officer as Sustainability Champion.
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Internal targets to reduce air and road travel are monitored monthly and reported to HMRC’s Performance Committee, with senior managers challenged on their performance. For 2010/11, travel emission targets are to reduce air travel by 20% from 2009/10 levels and reduce road travel by 10% from 2009/10 levels.
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A central Fleet and Travel team who are committed to seek reductions in emissions whilst still delivering business.
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The launch of new sustainable travel guidance, which includes a travel hierarchy and promotes alternative ways of meeting and communicating.
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Action with suppliers to encourage responsible behaviour throughout their businesses and the supply chain.
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Video conferencing facilities have been significantly enhanced to deliver improved booking and connection services at 141 locations across the HMRC estate during 2010/11.
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A ‘Sustainable Business Travel Group’ which brings business representatives from across HMRC together to drive progress and consider the travel implications of new initiatives.
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Encouraging local action on travel issues through an extensive network of 450+ Green Volunteers.
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A willingness to share experience with others through pan-Government forums and more widely.
Results/benefits
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A 39% reduction in carbon emissions from road travel against a 2005/06 baseline over the four years to 2010/11.
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Over the same period road mileage was reduced from 66,894,212 to 45,195,620 miles, a 32% reduction.
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Grey fleet mileage reduced from 22,856,481 in 2007/2008 to 13,121,064 for 2009/2010. Based on previous year’s patterns and the first 6 months of 2010/2011 grey fleet miles are estimated to be down to 8,336,120 by year end.
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On track to achieve the targets for the current year for both road and air. As at December 2010, HMRC is 26.74% better than target for air and 17.17% better than the target for road.
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The procurement of 88 low-carbon vehicles in 2010 through DECC funding, aimed specifically at high mileage grey fleet users, contributed to a reduction of grey fleet mileage by 37% in 2010.
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Average CO2 from new pool cars reduced from 136 CO2 to 114 CO2. Lease costs have also been reduced by £62K per year.
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HMRC’s pool fleet also been reduced by 174 under-utilised vehicles, saving £525K in lease costs, and discouraging unnecessary journeys.
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Provided advice for staff, challenging them to look at alternatives to travel such as-audio and video-conferencing facilities and greater use of public and shared folders.
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Solicitors and accountants can use shared workspace to comment on documents electronically, avoiding the need to transport correspondence.
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HMRC had another record breaking year in on-line self assessment. 6,508,690 had filed on line by 1pm on the final deadline date. On- line filing leads to a reduction in transport of paper returns and encourages improvement in customer IT skills.
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Rationalisation of the estate centred around hubs will lead to a decrease in the need to transport correspondence between offices.