European Parliament sets an example with Mobility Point
The European Parliament, the representative institution of the European Union, recently established a Mobility Point in the heart of its Brussels complex. We interview Tom Skinner, Adviser to the Director General for Infrastructure and Logistics (DG INLO), of the European Parliament.
Mr. Skinner, can you clarify why the EP decided to set up a Mobility Point?
Tom Skinner: "The foundation of our Mobility Point in the EP in Brussels is a direct consequence of a budgetary resolution which Parliament voted in 2008. This formed the necessary legal basis to put this measure in place. The purpose is to raise consciousness of sustainable modes of transport, and to lower our carbon footprint. Parliament has an objective to reduce emissions by 30% by 2020. This measure is one response to the fact that around 40% of Parliament's total carbon footprint is accounted for by the transport of persons, including from commuter journeys by Parliament's staff, the transport of Members in official cars owned or hired by Parliament, by visitors to Parliament and official travel by the Members. Transport of persons is the largest single component of Parliament's carbon footprint."
How does the Mobility Point work in practice? Tom Skinner: "The mobility point opened on 15 June 2011, and is managed by DG INLO and run by experts from two mobility consultancies. This information point provides tailored travel information on mobility and the best way to plan journeys. It offers information on promoting sustainable transport alternatives, by e-mail or at the desk, to anyone working for or in the EP and to all visitors to the institution. The Mobility Point has close contact with most travel providers and its own experts, and can advise in real-time on the best sustainable transport alternatives for travel in Brussels and also to and from Luxembourg and Strasbourg (e.g. during part-sessions). During its first three months, the Mobility Point received more than 250 requests despite the holiday period. 75% of those requests were made by internal staff and covered a wide array of topics: from train times, car-sharing and information about bicycles. People requesting information are given a comprehensive and up-to-date Fiche de mobilité detailing modes of transport, transit points and estimated travel times. Since its opening the mobility point has provided 670 consultations. Mobility Point also offers an internal website full of useful tips which is regularly updated and provides information on accessibility in the EP for people with reduced mobility. 230 people have signed up to be kept in regular contact with the point and receive advice and news regarding transport issues."
Should we interpret these figures as a sign of a real internal need for a Mobility Point? Tom Skinner: "The Mobility Point forms an integral part of the EMAS action plan (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme). Our monitoring of Parliament’s carbon footprint shows a negative trend arising from the transport of persons over the last five years. The emissions per employee-equivalent increased by 6.3% between 2006 and 2010, a tendency we can try to counter. Although there are obvious explanations for this trend, Parliament has assumed responsibility to try to reduce this trend so far as is possible and to encourage people to make environmentally-friendly choices. Our objective is to reduce carbon emissions in so far as is consistent with the obvious constraints arising from the nature of the Institution and the need for efficient and effective working procedures."
Can you detail the most important factors responsible for this adverse trend?
Tom Skinner: "The activities of Parliament have increased significantly over recent years. The EP is growing in both size and in its levels of activities. By the democratic and multi-national nature of the institution, the MEPs travel regularly to the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg from their constituencies to represent the 500 million citizens of the European Union who have elected them. The emissions per employee-equivalent due to staff travel away from the three places of work increased by 26.7% between 2006 and 2010. There was also an increase of 8.5% between 2006 and 2010 in the emissions per employee-equivalent due to subsidised visitor travel which added to the total footprint by 1.3%. In addition to these factors and increases, all Parliamentary staff have the regular return journey from home to work. For these reasons, seeking to raise awareness of ways of reducing the carbon footprint wherever possible, such as through the Mobility Point, is an important step in the right direction towards modest CO2 emission reductions."
What other means do you employ apart from facilitating the best real-time travel choices for members, staff and visitors?
Tom Skinner: "The EP has a Mobility Coordinator and has sought to negotiate favourable terms for its staff for season tickets for public transport in Brussels and Luxembourg. When it comes to Parliament’s staff, we are seeking to promote car-sharing for work-related travel and to establish a platform for staff to coordinate supply and demand for work-related car sharing arrangements. Video-conferencing also forms an alternative to such travel and is increasingly used in place of physical journeys. As a result of video-conferencing, in 2011 DG INLO alone avoided a total of 743 individual missions. This saved around €135 000 for the work related travel budget of Parliament and about 51 000 Kg CO2."
Can you tell in which way you plan to develop the current Mobility Point?
Tom Skinner: "The first signals are positive in terms of activity levels. The Mobility Point is consulted on a regular basis and we receive positive feedback. We will continue to evaluate this service, alongside performance indicators in terms of measurable CO2reductions. The European Parliament is striving to set an example in the field of sustainable mobility and is happy to share its experience with other interested parties."
Many thanks, Mr Skinner, and good luck with this project.
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