Charities can now submit charity trustee information through OSCR Online. Click here for full instructions.
Print This Page
Print This Page

OSCR Travel Plan 2024-2027

1. Introduction

OSCR staff are Scottish Government employees, and as an organisation we undertake our work on a hybrid basis, with staff attending our office at least two days each week. Our hybrid working arrangements are underpinned by robust and secure digital infrastructure, which enables secure remote working.

Meetings and events are conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams wherever feasible, with the majority now held online. The promotion of virtual platforms has significantly reduced the necessity for physical travel. Travel is undertaken only in exceptional circumstances, and where essential, the chosen mode of transport is assessed for both cost efficiency and environmental impact. This strategic shift has contributed to a measurable reduction in our carbon footprint.

2. Background

OSCR has been actively engaged in carbon reduction initiatives since 2009. Our Carbon Management Plans (CMPs) consistently demonstrate year-on-year reductions in emissions. The 2023–2024 CMP recorded a marginal increase in overall CO₂ emissions, attributed to the inclusion of staff commuting data for the first time.

Despite this, substantial reductions have been achieved across key areas including travel, accommodation, and paper consumption. For the 2024–2025 period, we have set a target to reduce overall CO₂ emissions by 5% from previous year’s level. We will review emissions annually and set targets based on the previous year’s figures.  The current CMP prioritises emission reductions specifically related to travel and transport, with this Travel Plan serving as the primary mechanism for delivery.

3. Current transport usage (2024–2025)

The predominant modes of transport utilised during this period include:

  • Rail – 39 (return)
  • Bus - 0
  • Air – 1 domestic return flight

4. Travel strategy objectives

OSCR aims to:

  • Minimise the necessity for staff travel.
  • Promote and encourage the adoption of active and sustainable transport options.
  • Maintain low levels of carbon emissions associated with air travel. Enhance awareness of the environmental impact of travel decisions to all staff

5. Strategic actions

5.1 Minimising travel requirements

Staff are encouraged to critically assess the need for physical attendance at meetings. Prior to confirming travel, the following considerations should be made:

  • Is a face-to-face meeting essential?
  • Can the matter be resolved via email or telephone?
  •  Can virtual conferencing tools be utilised?

Available virtual platforms include:

  • Microsoft Teams
  • Enhanced video conferencing and teleconferencing systems
  • Pathways (for learning and development)

Internal communications will continue to promote these tools and their benefits. Recent upgrades to IT infrastructure support improved virtual and hybrid meeting capabilities.

5.2 Promoting sustainable transport

Business travel is permitted only after all alternative options have been exhausted. Where travel is deemed necessary, staff are encouraged to:

  • Walk to nearby meetings
  • Utilise public transport

Additional measures include:

  • Continued enforcement of Band A and B hire car usage, with team leader approval required for exceptions
  • Preference for hybrid or electric vehicles via the Scottish Government’s car hire framework
  • Encouragement of shared travel arrangements
  • Sustained minimisation of air travel, with promotion of online alternatives and sleeper trains for essential in-person engagements

Air travel will be further reduced by:

  • Encouraging proactive travel planning and consideration of all available alternatives
  • Requiring Chief Executive approval for all flight bookings
  • Ensuring air travel is a last resort, used only when no reasonable alternative exists

5.3 Raising environmental awareness

OSCR will continue to build staff understanding of its public body responsibilities and foster broader environmental consciousness. This will be achieved through:

  • Updates on the staff intranet
  • Regular features in the staff newsletter
  • Communications via the all-staff Teams channel
  • Organisation-wide email updates

5.4 Establishing measurable targets

In alignment with Scottish Government travel targets, OSCR will:

  • Position air travel as a last resort due to its high emissions profile
  • Increase utilisation of virtual conferencing tools by 50% by March 2027
  • Increase use of hybrid/electric vehicles by 10% by March 2027 (subject to contract provisions and where hire vehicles are necessary)

These targets will be reviewed annually to ensure continued relevance and progress.

6. Considerations

While OSCR remains committed to reducing its carbon emissions as a public body, it also recognises its duty of care towards staff. Decisions regarding travel modes will therefore include considerations of staff safety and wellbeing.

Scroll to top