What does a sustainable commute actually look like? And how can I make sure I get to work in a more environmentally friendly way? If these questions are on your mind, then you've come to the right place. Exhaust gases that lead to air pollution and to the climate change contribute, congested roads, traffic jams and stress. And all that before the workday has even started. You'd probably love to avoid all that and still save your Reduce ecological footprint.
In this article, I would therefore like to show you how you can get to work in the most environmentally friendly way 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 transport that would also travel without you! Of course, this tip is not feasible for everyone. But if you Bus, streetcar or underground and suburban train in your vicinity, you can usually get to your workplace quite quickly, safely and in an environmentally friendly manner.
Notice: Some people also fly to work by plane. Even though it's a means of public transportation, it's obviously not one of the environmentally friendly "Öffi's". If your job requires daily flights, it is simply not sustainable.
2. ride your bike
The Cycling is healthy, cheap, flexible, space saving and apart from the production also climate-friendly. So if you have the opportunity, be sure to 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 circumstance also opens up the possibility of cycling to work.
4. Gehe zu Fuß, wenn es möglich ist
A short commute opens up the opportunity for arguably 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 take 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 distributed over as many shoulders as possible. Maybe you know colleagues who ask for a similar route every day. It's also worth checking out your company's intranet. In the end, carpooling makes the commute more sustainable - and it also promotes cooperation among each other.
6. try to avoid the rush hours
Maybe your boss or employer is relatively lax about the exact hours you work. In that case, you can also try driving there and back during off-peak hours with congested roads. By less stop-and-go traffic you reduce the consumption of your car and at the same time avoid unwanted stress.
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 prefer 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 ways to drive a car more sustainably!
8. offer carpooling
You have a longer way to work and have to drive? Then you can save your trips with Carpooling portals like BlaBlaCar.com and specify through this sustainable behavior also save money or collect. Anyone who also wants to travel to your destination will pay a small, fair amount for you to take them along. Of course, you can also use the offers of other drivers yourself!
By the way, experience shows that carpooling can create 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 commute is certainly the one that doesn't happen in the first place. That doesn't mean that you now have to change your 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 you do, don't be afraid 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: Also feel free to take a look at my post about the Lessons from the Corona pandemicthat we should all draw.
Sustainable commute? No problem at all!
Whether in the country or in the city, whether short or long, whether office or construction site: I believe that there is some potential for optimization in terms of sustainability for every commute. You don't have to ride your bike every day. Even 1-2 days a week with a more environmentally friendly means of transport already make a difference!
We've talked a lot now about getting 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 profession 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 sustainable on the road,
PS: Wusstest du, dass du deine Offset CO2 emissions can? How this works, you will now learn in the linked article!
References:
- Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (RNE): Klimabewusst Autofahren. https://www.nachhaltiger-warenkorb.de/themen/klimabewusst-autofahren. [15.04.2024]. ↩︎
