The four green transport initiatives that made it into the Guardian Green Travel List, including an innovative electric buggy in the Brecon Beacons, Germany's national rail eco programme, and Glastonbury's discount for travellers arriving on foot, by bike or by public transport.
>> For more information on the kinds of projects that made it onto the list, see: Graham Miller's Introduction to this year's annual Green Travel List.
Deutsche Bahn Germany’s national railway has launched a Climate Protection Programme, which by 2020 aims to have reduced its CO2 emissions by 20% compared to 2006. Included in this is an ‘Eco Programme’ that offers businesses the ability to ensure the energy for their staff’s rail trips is sourced exclusively from renewable power.
Accrington Eco-station, Lancashire The first truly “green” railway station building on the UK’s national rail network, Lancashire’s Accrington Eco Station opened in December 2010. The stone used was recycled, photovoltaic cells provide a percentage of the station’s electricity, hot water is solar-powered, and harvested rain water is used for flushing toilets. Though the building houses a ticket office (currently operated under lease by Northern Rail), its purpose is also to spread the message, and the basement houses an education resource centre where school groups can learn about sustainable transport and other green issues.
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset Ticket holders who arrived at the festival by public transport or bike this summer were given a Green Traveller lanyard which gave them vouchers for discounts on meals, sole access to solar showers and compost toilets, and a discount on a festival T-shirt. The organisers admit “these are reasonably small gestures”, but as transport emissions account for more than 50% of Glastonbury’s carbon footprint, this initiative raised awareness of the environmental impact of one of the world’s largest outdoor gatherings. Glastonbury's 'green traveller' initiative contributed to their being 5,000 less cars at the festival this summer.
B-bug, Brecon Beacons, Wales After winning the Green Dragon’s Den competition at Hay Festival in 2010, the owners of the ., where visitors could test them. The cute b-bugs are open-sided but have a little fabric roof, and have a top speed of 30mph and a range of 20 to 25 miles. They’re charged using electricity generated by local micro-hydro schemes and use only 3kWh for every 20 miles, which the owners say compares to only three miles in a standard petrol car. For every 20 miles, a b-bug saves 5kg carbon. Hire prices not yet available for 2012.
Read about the other initiatives that made it onto the Guardian Green Travel List in these categories: