This article will analyse different modes of transport in London, offering readers a perspective on which is most conducive to ESG, analysing not just in terms of sustainability, but also in terms of accessibility and other factors. This may help readers be more informed and improve their actions towards ESG in everyday life.
Introduction
‘ESG [environmental, social, and governance] is climate change, worker conditions, diversity; it’s everything.’
Sanda Horbach, head of the Carlyle Group, makes a great statement here that ESG is everywhere you look – it's about carefully thinking about the environmental, social and managerial impacts of your actions. This extends to public transport. The decision-makers of London’s transport have made efforts to be more sustainable, especially Transport for London (TfL). The government has set a target for 50% of journeys in towns and cities to be walked or cycled by 2030. Is it that hard? Well, as you will see in this article, some modes of transport may score well in some elements of ESG, and others may not do so well.
Hence, this article will advise you on how to get around London more sustainably. First, I will focus on which public transport is best for the environment (spoiler - it’s not taxis), examining the respective impacts of walking, cycling, the London Underground, buses and taxis. Then, I will demonstrate which of these is most inclusive, pertaining to the ‘S’, which is the social criteria in ESG. Finally, I will talk about transport governance, which has fractured sustainability governance.
The ‘E’ in ESG
So, you’re probably wondering first of all, which way of getting around London is most environmentally friendly? The most obvious way to travel sustainably is through walking and cycling. These modes of transport not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but also make you feel physically and mentally better, as well as help you enjoy what London has to offer. Additionally, for those worried about the risks of cycling on London roads, there are dedicated ‘Cycleways’ which help protect your safety when you’re out and about.
London’s Cycleways.
Yet, of course, if you’re short on time, or perhaps you might think cycling is too dangerous, you’ll have to look at other ways of getting around. This is where it gets a bit more tricky. Buses have their environmental advantages, as they are all either low or zero-emission, as part of the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe! Yet it seems that the London Underground comes out on top. The tube may be noisier than buses, blasting around 107.7 decibels compared to a quieter 76 decibels on buses, and the air quality is also 30 times worse than near busy roads. However, the tube actually emits a lot less CO2 than buses, meaning it might be a better mode of transport to take, if you’re concerned about the ‘E’ in ESG. So, it depends on which environmental factor you are measuring, but what can be said, for sure, is that you’d be better off walking or taking the buses and the Tube over taxis.
A comparison of the bus and the tube’s environmental footprint.
Transport Inclusivity and Accessibility
A statement advocating for disability awareness on public transport.
If we refer to the ‘S’ in ESG, all transport in London has its flaws in terms of how it meets the needs of all its users. This element of ESG ensures that there is equity in access to what is offered! Walking and cycling may be the cheapest, indicating higher accessibility, but many Londoners live far from where they work or frequent, meaning these modes of transport may be too slow. Taxis may be a desirable solution for those with disabilities as they take customers from door-to-door.
, London's buses promote inclusion, with each bus journey benefiting its diverse population of users; hence, using the bus helps assure its continuing operation, catering to the needs of many. Yet visually impaired passengers may find it difficult to locate where to board buses, and if audio assistance is not working, their journey may not be so smooth (see video below).
The London Underground may also seem accessible, due to some step-free access, as well as lifts and maps to help people get around. TfL plans to install more mini-ramps and increase the number of step-free stations to half. Yet TfL’s own awareness of their inaccessibility, especially for the disabled and elderly, illustrates its current inaccessibility, and an ongoing need for comprehensive accessibility measures to ensure that all individuals can use London’s public transport with ease.
Governance factors in transport
Governance of London’s transport is not without its fractures, which is concerning if we want to adhere to ESG. The intricate governance of transport, involving various levels of authority including local, regional and national, means there are often conflicting interests at play. Whilst the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan did champion initiatives like promoting walking and cycling despite his support of TfL, illustrating an awareness of our climate emergency, the government’s influence, including its grants towards TfL, alters what is done about governance of London’s transport. The Minister of State Huw Merriman's support for the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill in 2024, allowing more UK oil and gas projects, contradicts the UK government’s supposed efforts towards carbon neutrality. Hence, we may need more governance that prioritises environmental sustainability and community interests, rather than economic, in London's transport policies and initiatives. It is, therefore, hard to say how to get around if you are concerned about who makes the decision about your transport - the decision lies with you!
Conclusion
The debate of getting around London sustainably and effectively is complex. Weighing up all the elements of ESG, perhaps buses may be the best - but all modes of transport can improve. Walking and cycling may be great in their inclusiveness and cost-effectiveness, but also occasionally non-inclusive due to longer commute times and inaccessibility to those with physical impairments. The London Underground and buses may need to provide more staff assistance for the visually impaired, whilst also working even further to reduce their impact towards the climate emergency.
A future in which there is a perfect, efficient and sustainable way of getting to your destination in London may seem far off. Working from home (WFH) may be the best way to mitigate this. Nevertheless, WFH is not often suitable for those in lower-paid, essential jobs, or those with disabilities may face more social isolation if using this working style, meaning we must further explore how London’s public transport and cars become more ESG-friendly. We must make every effort to use more sustainable transport if we want to create a more equal and sustainable society.
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