Embracing a New Sustainable Perspective: From Rail to Road

Unternehmen/Institution:

Parexel International GmbH

Mobilitätsschlagworte:

Pendelfahrten, Geschäftsreisen, Reiserichtlichtlinien, BahnCard, Anreize (Benefizierung, Nudges, Wettbewerbe), sonstiges

Teilnehmende:

700

Zeitraum:

This is a project that started in 2023 as part of Parexel’s overarching ESG mission and is indefinitely part of the company’s initiatives to becoming more sustainable.

Beschreibung:

Our initiative from 2023 has shown that sustainable mobility is not only possible, but also effective by embracing an employee-wide mindset shift. Our initiative is based on the concept of defining the purpose, stress level and productivity in which travel is conducted and bolstering support through tangible shifts in not only the methods of transport, but the habits that exert influence. With a success rate of 96% for domestic rail travel within Germany and the introduction of innovative tools like our online booking tool browser extension as pilot for CO₂ display and easy to understand impact as well as detailed quarterly emissions reports to all employees, our initiative from 2023 is a guide to expand our efforts in 2024.

The main goal is to incentivize modal shifts that take climate into consideration and increase transparency with data collection and monitoring. Our concept includes promoting the use of long-distance transport by increasing the effectiveness of employees and reducing stress. Integration of modern urban transport services and low-emission taxi and ride-hailing services. Enhanced travel policy to include details relevant to the sustainability initiative. Supporting sustainable behaviours through employee education and awareness surrounding sustainable travel habits. Detailed and complete emissions reporting according to best calculation methods. Produce a reduction in GHG emissions through established climate-conscious, long-term mobility habits. Expansion of all initiatives from Germany within Central Europe.

Voluntariness and safety:

All measures are voluntary and alternative means of transport must be perceived as safe. Employees are encouraged and provided with options that equip them to make changes. Parexel’s travel team is equipped to explain the differences in options if necessary. Guidelines for the initiative are laid out in Parexel’s travel policy, 2023 ESG Report, and internal pages/articles.

Long-distance use:

For direct connections of less than 5 hours, the ICE is preferred, except for feeder flights to international routes if there is no direct connection to the airport. The benefit of this choice is communicated with employees and is measured via reporting upon booking.

Incentivization:

Promotion of first-class seat selection if travel by rail is chosen over flight.

No use of combustion engines:

No use of petrol or diesel vehicles, both for rental cars and for taxi & ride hailing. This is measured in travel expense reports where the vehicle type is logged. We customized the expense type entry with additional environmental fields like engine type and or mileage to calculate transportation emissions more accurately.

Rental cars:

Rent electric or hybrid vehicles only. If necessary, hand in "empty"; we find a solution with the provider to make the costs for charging "bearable" for both sides.

First & Last Mile:

Use low-emission solutions such as public transport or micromobility (scooters, bicycles). For this purpose, we have created a new expense type in the billing tool that give employees more options focused on localized transportation.

Taxi & Ride Hailing:

Preference for electric or hybrid vehicles through app rental. This gives us detailed CO₂ reports and data about the vehicle.

In terms of office commuting:

Emissions calculation:

Pilot project to normalize and fully calculate Travel & Expense emissions. To apply better emission methods, it is essential to obtain better data quality. Together with a start-up, we examined all available data sources, from the TMC, expense tool, credit card, supplier, to calculate complete T&E emissions for Germany and then to be able to strategically buy certificates to track this data.

Flexible working:

Successful introduction of flexible working to reduce commuting. Employees can choose between Flex, Mobile and Stationary in consultation with their supervisor. More than 80% of all employees have opted for flexible working, where they work from home (or more) for an average of 2 days. As a result, our emissions from commuting to the office have been reduced by an average of 40% compared to 2019.

Mobility budget:

We are currently evaluating the value for providing employees a mobility budget and are waiting for the final confirmation of a lump-sum taxation of 25%. Any other introduction of an individual means of transport, such as a company bicycle or Deutschlandticket, is not equally attractive for all employees in Germany, depending on the "degree of urbanization". We hope to finally be able to offer a "product" for all employees through a legal regulation.

Facilitation efforts:

We currently offer detailed guides, resources, and assistance offering for those booking business travel. As regulations increase and the industry changes, we adapt and provide updates to meet demand. We also work with our travel providers to examine the full-scale of each offering.

Veränderung:

Our mobility solution takes measures and turns them into definable actions. Over the course of the past year, we have observed different ways that our mobility initiative has created change within our organization.

We have seen a steady increase in employee engagement in the initiative which is reflected in our number of bookings and employee readiness to book outside of the standard offering. Once it is known as an option that does not exert additional effort from the standard choice, we have observed that long-term mobility behaviours mirror this.

The following results have been a part of the changes we have observed and hope to continue as we continue our involvement.

Rail over Flight:

96% of all domestic journeys within Germany were carried out by train. The initiative is now being extended to France, Spain and Italy. Not only are employees more effective, as protocols can be written during the train journey, but it also leads to less stress in general compared to the flight (security checks, boarding, etc.).

Employee benefits:

Incentivization for a voluntary shift from road to rail includes booking first-class seat for a trip. This allows employees to not only make a mindful decision, but also receive additional time to either work with free Wi-Fi connection or take some time to relax.

Online booking tool:

Introduction of a browser extension in pilot operation with an API for calculating the CO₂ of the current query, which has a positive influence on booking behavior.

SBTi targets:

Pursuit and recent validation of science-based targets. Related to business travel, Parexel commits to reduce 25% of Scope 3 emissions by 2030. Scope 3.6 emissions make up a percentage of this overall target and meeting reductions across all categories must be achieved.

Emissions calculation:

Pilot project to normalize and fully calculate emissions.

Flexible working:

Parexel is proud of the successful introduction of flexible working, which positively impacts our environmental footprint by reducing the need to commute. Approximately 75% of our workforce is hybrid or works from home, and we have lowered emissions 40% through flexible working.

Our initiative shows that sustainable mobility is not only feasible, but also effective. With the planned measures for 2024, we want to further strengthen our contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and serve as a role model for other companies. But we also don't want to conceal the setbacks.

The fear of "charging" and the problems with charging stations compared to traditional refueling are not conducive. In addition, the many strikes and unpunctuality of the railway do not help to get faster acceptance, as it already requires greater will.

We would like to thank all our employees who have embarked on this journey towards sustainable mobility and have made many small and large compromises while still guaranteeing safe and efficient clinical trials.

Was macht Euch zum top grünen Arbeitgeber?

Our company is actively committed to sustainability and environmental protection, which is reflected in all our business areas. We promote an environmentally friendly corporate culture by supporting sustainable mobility solutions such as the preferential use of long-distance transport and low-emission vehicles.

In addition, we offer flexible working models that not only improve the work-life balance of our employees, but also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from commuting. Our emissions calculation and reporting initiatives ensure transparency and accountability while committing to ambitious targets to reduce our Scope 3 emissions.

With our work focused on prioritizing patients, the focus is to ensure social responsibility and long-term health of both people and planet. Our efforts to advance our climate mobility efforts as a CRO is capable for modelling in similar organizations. Through these actions and our commitment to green technologies and sustainable practices, we position ourselves as a pioneer in environmental responsibility and an attractive employer for environmentally conscious talent.

Summary:

1. Promoting rail travel over flights for domestic journeys within Germany (96% compliance)

2. Incentivizing first-class rail travel for trips under 5 hours

3. Implementing an online booking tool with a browser extension to display CO₂ emissions

4. Encouraging the use of electric or hybrid vehicles for rentals and ride-hailing services

5. Promoting low-emission solutions for first and last mile transportation (public transport, micromobility)

6. Introducing flexible working arrangements, reducing commuting emissions by 40%

7. Pursuing and validating science-based targets, committing to reduce 25% of Scope 3 emissions by 2030

8. Piloting a project to normalize and fully calculate Travel & Expense emissions

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