Transport is responsible for more emissions than any other sector of the UK economy, accounting for 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK in 2018. Transport is the source of 75% of nitrogen dioxide emissions in Oxford.
Staff and student commuting, operational needs and freight deliveries all contribute to the University's carbon emissions. Vehicle movements endanger vulnerable road users and create noise pollution and congestion.
Around 60% of University staff live outside the Oxford ring road, often resulting in lengthy commutes. In 2018/19, 75% of staff and 97% of students travelled to work and study by sustainable modes.
The University's vehicle fleet is now 11% electric. Freight and post have already been consolidated through the University's mail service, which delivers more than a million items per year by bike and zero-emission electric vehicle.
The University is committed to helping our staff choose ways of travelling on a day-to-day basis.
We encourage you to:
For more information, visit the University of Oxford Travel website.
Our commitments
- Support and lobby Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and central government to implement proposals aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality by investing in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure in Oxford.
- Reduce the need for staff to travel by supporting remote and agile working.
- Support sustainable choices of public transport, walking and cycling.
- Where possible, reduce commuter parking, prioritising parking for those with disabilities and caring responsibilities in order to make better provisions for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Develop proposals and work with partners to improve public transport and walking and cycling connectivity between sites used by the University.
Summer 2024
The University is in the consultation stage for a local transport strategy 2024-2029. The goals of the strategy will include:
- Support Oxfordshire County Council in achieving its Vision Zero target of reducing road fatalities or life changing injuries by 50% by 2030;
- Electrifying 100% of the University's vehicle fleet in line with the University's commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2035;
- Reducing the level of traffic to our sites by increasing freight consolidation for deliveries; along with other actions.
- The commitments set out in this strategy will be funded by the Green Travel Fund.
The Green Travel Fund also supports current sustainable travel initiatives, such as cycle training and bus subsidies. If maintained, these initiatives will continue to be financed by revenue generated from staff parking permit charges, which raise about £0.5 million a year. Progress towards the achievement of the commitments will be monitored and reviewed by the Transport Planning Working Group and reported via the Environmental Sustainability Annual Report.
