Christophe Peymirat
Head of Uber for Business, EMEA
Mobility, as it stands today, is unsustainable. Cities face an enormous challenge: how to make room for a huge growth in mobility demand, while drastically cutting the CO2 emissions of transportation. How can we help transport more business travellers more efficiently—and with a significantly lower environmental impact?
There are approximately 1.4 billion cars in the world today. Cars are a major source of pollution, but the real problem is how we use them. Picture this: you’re driving home, you stop at the traffic lights and look around. Everyone is driving alone—including you. It’s a very real waste of car space. The reality is that there aren’t enough shared trips, meaning there are too many cars on the road with empty seats. This leads to higher carbon emissions, more traffic congestion and lower economic productivity.
An incredible 19 million Uber trips happen each day, and a lot of these trips are for business travel. People depend on us, whether they’re on their way to sign a business deal or getting home safely after working late hours. As we continue growing, we have a duty to find more sustainable ways to help transport people.
A broad uptake of shared, electric and automated technology by 2050 can cut transportation emissions by more than 80%.
Time is running out—ground travel needs to be greener
“A growing body of research shows that a broad uptake of shared, electric and automated technology by 2050 can cut transportation emissions by more than 80%, vastly shrink the vehicle population, and dramatically curb reliance on private car ownership,” says Adam Gromis, Uber’s global lead on sustainability and environmental impact.
Big investments need to be made in shared, electric and automated technology. To start with, reliable public transit and shared taxi rides are two effective green transportation options in many cities. It helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and by sharing a journey with other riders, it’s a more cost-effective and markedly more sustainable way to travel.
Electric bicycles and scooters are also available in several cities in Europe, which can help employees make short-distance journeys.
It’s also important to embrace electric vehicle (EV) efforts. Uber’s Clean Air Plan was introduced in 2019 to support the movement towards a cleaner, healthier London. Our goal is to ensure every car on the Uber app is fully electric by 2025. By adding just 15p per mile to all London trips, we aim to provide £200m to support drivers in their switch to EVs.
Making all of these options available through the Uber platform can help reduce the carbon impact of ground travel and help business travellers get affordable, lower-impact travel options.
How can businesses benefit from greener rides?
By introducing eco-friendly options in their travel policies, organisations can take steps towards a greener future. A cleaner environment means healthier employees, which in turn boosts morale and improves business productivity.
Incorporating sustainability into your travel program can also help attract and retain staff. A new generation is entering the workforce, and as digital natives who seek to contribute to a sustainable future, it’s important to look to the tech they’re already using.
That’s where Uber for Business comes in. It’s an all-in-one digital dashboard that integrates directly with the Uber app and simplifies how your people move around. You’ll get complete visibility, insights and control over ground travel. You’ll also cut costs, stay green, and keep your employees, clients and guests happy with a global product they already use.
With several green initiatives, Uber is also taking action to make a positive impact on the environment. It’s a long road ahead, but we’re committed to making business travel greener.