The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has pledged its support to the Swansea Bay Healthy Travel Charter which aims to encourage and support staff to travel around the campuses in a sustainable way.
An official signing of the document attended by Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of UWTSD’s Swansea and Cardiff campuses, Philip McDonnell, Coordinator for Swansea Environmental Forum, and Kate Williams, Head of Sustainability at the University, took place at the University’s Technium 1 building in SA1 on January 31.
Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of UWTSD’s Swansea and Cardiff campuses said: “Signing the Healthy Travel Charter represents a significant statement of intent on the part of UWTSD. We are committed to the longer-term goal of becoming a net-zero carbon university and to delivering, real-time benefits to our students and communities today. By taking measurable steps to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable travel options we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, reduce pollution, and boost the air quality in and around our campuses.”
The University joins 13 leading organisations including Swansea Bay University Health Board, Natural Resources Wales, the Driver, and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Gower College, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea Council, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service, Neath Port Talbot Council, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, Coastal Housing, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Pobl, in making the pledge.
Through 17 ambitious actions, the charter promotes walking, cycling, public transport and ultra-low emission vehicle use.
The actions include establishing a network of sustainability champions within each organisation, developing targeted communications campaigns for staff, offering, and promoting the cycle to work scheme and promoting public transport discounts.
By working together, the organisations aim to increase the proportion of journeys made to and from workplaces which are sustainable.
The public sector in Swansea employs over a third of working adults, over 42,000 people, so this commitment can have a significant positive impact on the environment as well as associated health benefits.
The launch of this charter comes as the evidence of the urgency needed to tackle climate change becomes stark. The UN secretary general referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s report in August 2021 as ‘code red for humanity’, and the co-chair of the IPCC’s working group said in February 2022 that “the scientific evidence is unequivocal: climate change is a threat to human wellbeing and the health of the planet. Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future.”
The Swansea Bay Healthy Travel Charter is the fifth Charter to launch in Wales, following similar initiatives in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Gwent, and with businesses.
Kate Williams, Head of Sustainability at UWTSD said “the University is committed to building strong and healthy communities where our people can flourish. Walking or cycling to work significantly benefits our health and wellbeing , and alongside increasing awareness of public transport links it will enable each person to do one small thing that will create a swell that brings about profound change. We are looking forward to building partnerships that generate action that will make sustainable choices more accessible to our communities, this will support the University in the drive to achieve Net Zero Carbon
Kelly Williams, Executive Head of Operational Estates and Facilities commented ‘the University is really proud to be part of this transformational agenda and is excited to be working with the Swansea Bay Sustainable Travel Swansea group to ensure easy access to sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solutions.’
