From the
Telegraph:
The Environment Agency is the first Government quango to ban flights to destinations that can easily be reached by train.
Staff at the watchdog, that is in charge of protecting the UK▸ 's environment, are not allowed to fly anywhere in England and Wales. Flights to Paris and Brussels that are a few hours away by train are also banned and journeys to most destinations in Continental Europe will be taken by train.
However staff will be allowed to travel to Edinburgh and Glasgow by plane in exceptional circumstances because the rail service is still a slow and expensive option.
The organisation has already reduced business car mileage by 24 per cent (11 million miles) over the last four years and is expected to save approximately 30 tonnes of carbon a year through its new policy.
Dr Paul Leinster, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said staff will only travel when necessary. "We aim to lead the way on environmental performance. Our restriction on domestic air travel builds on previous and continuing action on business mileage, energy use, waste to landfill and renewable energy generation. It's another important step in reducing our carbon emissions," he said. ^Reducing energy use, carbon emissions and waste can all help to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts.^
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been criticised for allowing staff to take more than 1,000 domestic flights, including 26 return flights to Manchester that can be reached in two-and-a-half hours by train.
Environmental groups welcomed the actions of the Environment Agency and said other Government agencies must now implement a similar policy.
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