Active Building Centre – Swansea University has introduced a range of initiatives to help improve air quality and reduce congestion in its locality.

Key to cutting emissions is the electrification of its fleet.

From installing a single charge point in 2012, 70% of the organisation’s fleet is now electric, with 26 electric vehicles (EVs) from six manufacturers and 20 charging points.

It operates an EV booking system to match the right vehicle to the journey and is using telematics to improve driver behaviour and help drivers select routes with efficiency in mind.

While the organisation does hire low-emission vehicles when required, it is increasingly able to use longer-range EVs for longer journeys: in 2018, the annual mileage of a typical EV was 3,500 to 5,000.

This is now 15,000 to 20,000 and the Active Building Centre expects this to rise further.

While the increased use of EVs is reducing the fleet’s environmental impact, the organisation is also working to reduce traffic congestion.

As well as having a pool car fleet of EVs, Active Building Centre – Swansea University actively discourages the use of grey fleet as far as possible by having electric bikes for staff use.

In collaboration with transport companies, the organisation’s travel planner and transport planner have also introduced award-winning public transport schemes to encourage people out of cars.

Its work extends to active travel options.

Active Building Centre – Swansea University has introduced better lit footpaths on popular walking routes, while the organisation was also the main driver behind a successful competitive bid for a Santander cycle hire scheme across the city.

The organisation also offers employees a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme to allow them to buy a bicycle at a reduced rate.

Shower/changing/safe storage schemes are available for commuting cyclists.

It also operates car share and lift share schemes.

Finalists: Active Building Centre – Swansea University, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Highland Council, Red Bull, Siemens