Just One Journey
One simple choice for a more sustainable autumn.
There will be 207 million single trips made by car for leisure in the next 12 months.
If we all switched to the train for just one of those journeys, we could stop 1099.63 million kgC02e needlessly entering our atmosphere in the next year. That is the impact that changing Just One Journey can have.
The Power of One: How you can help save the planet
One person, one journey, your choice.
LNER is encouraging Brits planning a getaway to make a positive choice for the environment and take the train instead of jumping in the car.
On average carbon emissions from cars are three times higher than that of a train, meaning the collective power of one change could be a monumental shift. Whilst some travellers may feel that their single journey will not make a difference, with 70 per cent of adults are at least somewhat concerned about the environmental impact of travel the collective impact of everyone changing just one journey would be huge.
You might not think choosing one train journey makes a difference, but collectively it has a real impact. A single car journey from York to London, for example, uses more than 41 kg of CO2. The same journey on a train uses just over 12 kg.
That’s why we’re asking you to get involved and embrace Just One Journey by choosing the train instead of the car for Just One Journey in the next 12 months.
How can you get involved?
It couldn’t be easier.
The easiest way to get involved is to pledge to make Just One Journey by train instead of car. You can do this by tweeting your pledge today.
Now that you've made the pledge, start planning your journey today and make the change from car to train.
Need some inspiration? Check out some of the destinations and things to do along our route.
Did you know?
LNER’s sustainability promise to the planet
Sustainability is at the heart of our business
LNER is committed to being a responsible business, and respecting the environment is a key part of that. We’re determined to minimise our impact on the planet and do our bit to tackle the threat of climate change.
From minimising and recycling our waste, to planting thousands of trees along the East Coast Main Line, to playing a leading role in the decarbonisation of the rail industry, we’re committed to managing and reducing our impact on our planet.
But there’s always more to do.
LNER promises to:
- Deliver a 21% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 and achieve net zero by 2045
- Deliver circular economy (waste reduction or elimination) targets of 40% by 2023 and 50% by 2025
- Maintain zero waste to landfill and develop a reduction target for our water consumption
- Develop two road maps (traction and non-traction) to clearly illustrate our decarbonisation journey
- Work with an ecologist to map existing habitats at our stations and inform future projects to improve biodiversity on our estate
- Monitor air quality at all of our stations and deliver improvements where required
- Create science-based targets (to replace the 2018-19 baseline)
- Create two carbon-neutral stations by the end of 2025
- A non-traction energy (kWh) average reduction per annum of 2%.
Our responsible business pledge
We’re doing everything we can to reduce our environmental impact.
For the team at LNER, being responsible is all about giving our customers a great experience every time, while holding firm to our ethical, environmental and community goals.
We’re extremely proud of our responsible business achievements to date, which include 80% of passengers now using paperless tickets, using 100% renewable energy sources at our stations (where we control and purchase the energy supply) and sending 0% waste to landfill since June 2019.
Our pledge to be a responsible business informs every single decision we make.
- Zero waste to landfill. In June 2019 we received external certification that all of the standard operational waste directly within our control is diverted from landfill.
- Replaced bin signs. We began using the Recycle Now waste icons to help drive a consistent clear message across our stations.
- Coffee cups. We have set up disposable cup recycling at York, Doncaster and Wakefield stations.
- Sorting hub. We set up a waste sorting hub at Newcastle station to improve the segregation rate of waste and reduce the environmental impact of the waste generated by the business, our customers, tenants and other train operators using our waste facility.
- Reusable cups on board. Customers can bring their own reusable cups with them when they travel with us and receive a 25p discount on hot drinks. So far, we’ve prevented the use of over 22,000 disposable cups on our trains. (Due to COVID-19 we have put this scheme on hold.)
- Issued reusable cups. We issued reusable cups to our on-board and station colleagues to eliminate the need for staff single-use cups.
- Taken diesel-powered HSTs out of service. Our last HST retired from service in December 2019. Phasing out these trains has reduced the volume of diesel fuel we use by 9 million litres (between 2018/19 and 2019/20.
- Efficient lighting. We replaced 90% of the lighting at Depot with efficient LED.
- Lighting update. We installed an efficient state-of-the-art designer lighting system in the concourse at Doncaster to automatically control the lighting levels depending on light and occupancy levels.
- Inflatable doors. We installed inflatable doors on the maintenance shed at our Aberdeen maintenance depot to help keep the heat in and reduce energy use.
- Energy surveys. In 2021 an external energy efficiency review was completed to help identify opportunities to reduce our energy and carbon footprints.
- Renewable energy. We successfully procured renewable energy for our managed locations in 2020.
Our sustainable destinations
Your one-stop shop for eco-friendly places to eat, stay and play
If you’re keen to double down on your environmentally friendly credentials, the LNER Green Guide is filled with excellent suggestions for places to visit, dine, and explore.
Recently updated, the free LNER Green Guide is a handy and accessible directory featuring the best and most popular eco-friendly destinations, restaurants, accommodation, tourist hotspots and businesses in some of the most desirable destinations on the East Coast Main Line.
Did you know?
Plan your journey
You can read our full report on Just one journey here