What does a sustainable commute actually look like? And how can I ensure that I get to work in a more environmentally friendly way? If these questions are buzzing around in your head, then you've come to the right place. Exhaust fumes that air pollution and to the climate change contribute, congested roads, traffic jams and stress. And all this before the working day has even begun. You'd probably love to avoid all of this and still save your Reduce ecological footprint.
In this article, I would therefore like to show you how to get to work as environmentally friendly as possible in the future. Let's go!
1. use public transportation
How can you make your own commute more sustainable? By using the means of transportation that would also work without you! Of course, this tip is not feasible for everyone. But if you Bus, streetcar or underground and suburban train in your area, you can usually get to your workplace quickly, safely and in an environmentally friendly way.
Notice: Some people also fly to work by plane. Even if it is a means of public transportation, it is obviously not an environmentally friendly form of public transport. If your job requires daily flights, it is simply not sustainable.
2. ride your bike
The Cycling is healthy, affordable, flexible, space-saving and apart from the production also climate-friendly. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely get on your bike more often. This is certainly one of the most important tips for a sustainable commute.
3. Halte die Distanz zwischen Wohnung und Arbeitsplatz möglichst klein
Dieser Tipp sagt sich ziemlich leicht – ist aber in Zeiten von Wohnungsmangel in den Städten und Arbeitsplatzmangel in weiten, ländlichen Regionen ziemlich schwer umzusetzen.
Doch wenn du zum Beispiel bei einem Move or Change of job If you have the opportunity and a sustainable commute is important to you, you can use it to keep the distance between your home and your workplace as short as possible. This also gives you the opportunity to cycle to work.
4. Gehe zu Fuß, wenn es möglich ist
A short commute opens up the opportunity for the most sustainable way to get to work: the Walk on foot! No exhaust fumes, no CO2 emissions, no traffic jams and at the same time also much movement. If you have the opportunity to walk to work, then you should definitely make use of it.
5. carpool
Are you dependent on your car for your commute? Then you should not sit alone in the car, so that the CO2 emissions for your journeys to and from work spread across as many shoulders as possible. Perhaps you know colleagues who ask a similar route every day. It's also worth asking on your company's intranet. Ultimately, carpooling makes the journey to work more sustainable - and it also promotes cooperation between colleagues.
6. try to avoid the rush hours
Perhaps your boss or employer is relatively relaxed about the exact working hours. In this case, you can also try to travel there and back during off-peak hours with congested roads. By less stop-and-go traffic you reduce your car's fuel consumption and avoid unwanted stress at the same time.
7. drive your car as sustainably as possible
Wer mangels Alternativen mit dem Auto fahren muss, hat keine „General-Ausrede“ dafür, jetzt gar nicht mehr auf einen nachhaltigen Arbeitsweg achten zu müssen.
Vielmehr kannst du beispielsweise ein Electric car without CO2 emissions during use, Carpools form driving with foresight, the car during idle times of turn off more than 10 seconds, upshift early enough, the Check tire pressure and optimize or Reduce the weight of your car. There really is a cornucopia of possibilities to drive a car more sustainably!
8. offer carpooling
Do you have a longer commute and have to drive to work? Then you can book your journeys with Carpooling portals like BlaBlaCar.com and specify through this sustainable behavior also save money or take them. Anyone who also wants to travel to your destination will pay a small, fair amount for you to take them with you. Of course, you can also use the services of other drivers yourself!
Experience has shown that carpooling can lead to long-term carpools and even friendships! A really valuable tip for sustainable commuting!
9. Reduziere Stromfresser im Auto
Air conditioner, Alternator, Radio or Rear window heating sind sehr gute Beispiele für echte Stromfresser im eigenen Auto. Allein die Klimaanlage kann den Spritverbrauch im Stadtverkehr um bis zu 30 Prozent erhöhen!1
Kurbel stattdessen lieber das Fenster herunter, wenn du die Temperatur im Auto ändern willst. Suche einfach Mal gezielt nach unnötigen Stromfressern, um den Verbrauch deines Autos auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren.
10. Versuche, den Arbeitsweg öfter zu vermeiden
The most sustainable way to work is certainly the one that doesn't arise in the first place. That doesn't mean that you should Quit job but rather that you should work from home more often if possible. Because that Home office is usually more sustainable, because the CO2 emissions for the journey are not incurred at all.
Die Corona-Pandemie hat sicherlich vielen Chefs und Arbeitgebern die Augen geöffnet und gezeigt, dass man auch Work effectively in the home office can. Of course, not every job allows you to work from home, but if it does, don't hesitate to raise the issue with your boss. In the end, it's not only more environmentally friendly, but also saves you time and money. Even 1-2 days of home office in the week make your "working ways" then already significantly more sustainable.
Tip: Please also take a look at my article about the Lessons from the Corona pandemicthat we should all draw.
Sustainable commute? No problem at all!
Whether in the countryside or in the city, whether short or long, whether office or construction site: I believe that every commute has some potential for optimization in terms of sustainability. You don't have to cycle every day. Even 1-2 days a week with a more environmentally friendly means of transport can make a difference!
We've talked a lot about the journey to work. But what about the job itself? Feel free to look at the sustainable job portal atif you are eager for a change and would like to pursue a career with added value for you, society and our planet.
Do you have any suggestions for sustainable commuting? Then feel free to write me your questions, experiences and tips in the comments.
Stay on the road sustainably,
PS: Wusstest du, dass du deine Offset CO2 emissions can? Find out how this works in the linked article!
References:
- Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (RNE): Klimabewusst Autofahren. https://www.nachhaltiger-warenkorb.de/themen/klimabewusst-autofahren. [15.04.2024]. ↩︎
