Commute Zero Hero Award Winners Driving 53,000 Greener Journeys Every Year

The Commute Zero Hero Awards honour organisations and individuals driving innovative commuting solutions that reduce carbon emissions and foster a culture of sustainability.  

Entries showcasing creative projects poured in from both the public and private sectors. Among the winners are Heathrow Airport, with the UK’s largest single-site Liftshare scheme; West Sussex County Council, recognised for its Active Travel Strategy prioritising school journeys; and University Hospitals Dorset, whose travel team introduced the Footbus app to enhance safety for colleagues using public transport at night.  

We’re delighted to have won the 2025 Carpool Champion Award through our work with Mobilityways. Since launching Liftsharing at our Bristol office in 2022 and later to all colleagues at Lloyds Banking Group, we’ve seen tremendous benefits, both in sustainability and in fostering a sense of community on the morning commute.

Mobilityways Managing Director, Julie Furnell, commented, “The Commute Zero Hero Awards recognise those leading the charge in making commuting greener, healthier, and more efficient. Our winners have developed best practices that deliver measurable impacts in the mission to make zero-carbon commuting a reality. From reducing emissions to improving the health, wealth, and happiness of their teams, these organisations demonstrate the transformative power of sustainable commuting solutions. We’re delighted to celebrate their success and inspire others to follow suit.”  

Often overlooked, Scope 3 commuting emissions account for 5% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, equating to 18 billion kilograms of CO2e annually. As more workplaces encourage a return to the office, reducing the environmental impact of commuting is essential for achieving ambitious net zero targets.   

The Mobilityways Commute Zero Hero Awards celebrate outstanding efforts in sustainable commuting across the workplace. These awards honour organisations and individuals who are driving positive change through innovative commuting solutions, reducing carbon emissions and fostering a culture of sustainability.  

From leadership in sustainable travel to impactful partnerships and infrastructure investments, the awards recognise those who are leading the way in making commuting greener, healthier and more efficient for their workforce. Join us in celebrating the Commuting Net Zero heroes who are transforming commuting for a cleaner, greener future. 

Commute Zero Hero Award Winners

Sustainable Commuting Leadership Award

Honouring leaders who champion sustainable commuting within their organisation, inspiring their teams and peers to adopt sustainable travel habits.

Lynn Cramman, Cobalt Park

Lynn has championed a range of initiatives, including car-sharing through Liftshare, cycling hubs, and personal travel planning, driving significant engagement across the park. Through her leadership, she established a sustainability steering group to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing, resulting in a consistent reduction in commuting emissions and increased tenant buy-in.

I am delighted to have won this award. There has been a tremendous amount of thought gone into the development of Cobalt Park – which spans over 2 million sq ft – to support sustainable travel. Utilising data from our More Card registrations provides us with intelligent insight. Along with our annual surveys with Mobilityways, it means we have holistic insight on travel behaviour and demographics to enable high level working with transport partners.

Katie Reed, BP

Despite challenges like limited public transport and an average 40-mile commute at BP Pangbourne, Katie led initiatives that reduced emissions and promoted car-sharing and shuttle bus use. Her data-driven approach, including travel surveys and personal travel plans, saved 191.56 tonnes of CO₂, removed over 810,000 miles, and saved employees £232,050.

Best Commuting Reduction Strategy

This award recognises organisations that have developed and implemented comprehensive policies and frameworks to reduce commuting emissions.

Mills & Reeve

Mills & Reeve identified opportunities for improvement by calculating site-specific Average Commuter Emissions Levels (ACELs) through travel surveys. By engaging senior partners and implementing a top-down approach, they introduced a range of initiatives, including compulsory environmental training and the launch of ESG Ignite, a thought leadership series.

We’re incredibly honoured to receive the Commute Zero Hero Award for Best Commuting Reduction Strategy. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to creating sustainable and efficient commuting solutions and reflects our unwavering commitment to providing our staff with the resources and opportunities to make sustainable commuting choices. By prioritising sustainability, we not only contribute positively to our environment but also enhance the overall well-being and productivity of our organisation.

Sustainable Travel Team Best Practice Award

Recognising a team that has collectively committed to reducing Scope 3 emissions through sustainable commuting practices.

University Hospitals Dorset

The team at University Hospitals Dorset has worked collectively to integrate cycling infrastructure, including cycle lanes in major developments at their Bournemouth hospital site, and has completed plans for a fully connected cycling route, significantly enhancing active travel options. A standout achievement is their promotion of the Footbus app, which addresses late-night safety concerns for staff using public transport, particularly benefiting female employees.

South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Despite being a small team of just three, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust have made significant strides in driving sustainable commuting practices across four acute hospital sites. Their comprehensive 2024 travel action plan, developed from employee survey insights, has already resulted in 203 Liftshare accounts. They’ve also championed car-sharing within parking permit applications and worked closely with multiple departments to encourage active travel.

The Travel Planning Team is delighted to receive this award. It is a recognition of the team’s continued dedication and hard work. Sustainable travel is at the forefront of everything we do.

Commuting Emissions Impact Award

This award recognises organisations that have achieved significant, measurable reductions in commuting-related carbon emissions.

Mercedes Formula One

Through their Liftshare program, Mercedes Formula One has achieved over 4,400 authentications this year alone, saving more than 266,000 miles and 52 tonnes of CO2. The company’s incentive scheme, which rewards staff for confirming trips, has been key in driving participation, with 60% of the team now part of the car-sharing community.

Best Workplace Initiative

Recognising organisations that have introduced and implemented innovative initiatives to make commuting more environmentally friendly.

Encirc

Through a comprehensive strategy that included calculating emissions across all three sites, they implemented a car-share solution with a reward system, offering employees £1 for every shared journey and a chance to win a monthly prize. Since launching in September, they’ve engaged 257 members and seen significant results, including 461 trips shared, saving 3.33 tonnes of CO2 and 16,938 miles.

We are delighted to win the Mobilityways Commute Zero Hero Award 2025 for Best Workplace Initiative for our car-sharing scheme. “Sustainability is at the core of all we do at Encirc. The car-sharing initiative rewards our people for taking part in the scheme and helps us to cut back significant emissions on the commute to work. This recognition is a timely boost for our car-share solution at Encirc as we look to increase and develop further its impact across the business.

Active Travel Champion Award

Awarding employers who go the extra mile to support active commuting options like walking, cycling, and other low-impact travel.

West Sussex Active Travel

Overcoming challenges with Active Travel England’s Level 0 rating, West Sussex Active Travel developed an action plan that secured a Level 1 status, £1.5 million in funding, and enabled key initiatives like School Streets Trials, safer routes, and innovative infrastructure. Their Active Travel Strategy 2024–2036 demonstrates a long-term vision to prioritise active commuting.

“WSCC is committed to making sustainable travel journeys a safer, more convenient and more accessible option for our residents and visitors alike. A cornerstone of this commitment is our approach to Active Travel, which is about providing our residents with the ability to choose to walk, wheel or cycle instead of using their cars for journeys to school, work and many more destinations. Our Active Travel to School programme provides site-specific footway and cycle improvements, with behaviour change interventions to build the habit of travelling actively from a young age.”

Best Sustainable Partnership

Honouring organisations that have formed impactful partnerships to promote sustainable commuting.

Birmingham County Football Association (BCFA)

Through the Save Today, Play Tomorrow programme, BCFA has formed impactful partnerships with organisations like UtilityWorks and Manchester Metropolitan University to implement sustainable commuting options, such as car-sharing schemes, green-energy products and carbon-literacy courses. Their initiative also includes a Green Innovation Fund, which has supported 150 clubs with sustainable projects.

This award is a testament to the power of collaboration, partnerships, and innovation in creating a sustainable future for grassroots football. By working together, we can make a real difference in reducing the environmental impacts of the game whilst keeping football affordable, inclusive, safe and at the heart of our local communities. We are proud to be leading the way in sustainable football and inspiring others to follow our example.

Carpool Champion Award

This award recognises individuals or teams who have made exceptional efforts to promote carpooling within their organisation or community.

Lloyds

Through Liftshare bays, incentives, and events, Lloyds actively supports staff in adopting sustainable commuting habits. They have demonstrated exceptional leadership in carpooling as part of their ambitious sustainability goals, including keeping travel emissions below 50% of their 2018/19 baseline and achieving a 90% carbon reduction by 2030.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)

JLR implemented a step-by-step Liftshare scheme, surveying staff to identify barriers and providing dedicated parking areas and incentives such as vouchers. With strong communication and engagement, including team talks and targeted messaging, JLR successfully enrolled over 2,000 members and formed 250 active Liftshare teams, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and miles driven.

Innovation Champion Award

Celebrating organisations that develop creative, forward-thinking solutions to transform the commuting experience.

Heathrow Airport

By promoting carpooling through various channels, including on-site roadshows, promotional videos and staff rewards, Heathrow has effectively engaged employees in sustainable commuting. The airport has successfully reduced carbon emissions and congestion, with over 340,000 miles saved and a reduction of 67 tonnes of CO2.

Heathrow is delighted to have been selected as the winner of the first Mobilityways Commute Zero Hero Award. Our Sustainable Travel Zone was introduced in 2022 with a focus on providing more sustainable travel options for the airport’s many colleagues, now totaling over 80,000. This included introducing improved bus and coach services and promoting active travel and car sharing. We have also extended the range of discounts available to Team Heathrow on public transport and cycling, as well as rewarding colleagues for doing the right thing through a dedicated app.

Norwich Research Park

Building on a strong green travel strategy, Norwich Research Park launched a successful travel survey and created engaging in-person events such as Bike Day, where staff enjoyed a free breakfast. With initiatives like the Beryl bike sharing scheme and free on-site bike repairs, they have made cycling more accessible, even for students without their own bikes. Their commitment is further reflected in the strong engagement, with 30% of staff cycling to work regularly.

We are delighted that our efforts to move towards more sustainable travel across the park campus have been recognised with this award. When you consider the growth of our campus and the number of people that are here every day, it is important to offer solutions that help our community to use more sustainable modes of transport to and from work. This award is recognition for everyone who has completed surveys, communicated to staff and chosen to share a car, get the bus, walk, run or cycle to work – well done!

Public Transport Champion Award

Recognising employers who excel in promoting public transport as a primary commuting option.

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

By leveraging Mobilityways tools such as Travel Surveys and Personal Travel Plans (PTPs), Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust used data-driven strategies to introduce initiatives like a shuttle bus service and Park & Ride promotion. Weekly marketplace stalls engaged staff, achieving a 20% survey response rate and PTPs for 10% of the workforce.

We are delighted to be recognised for our work to support staff to commute sustainably. Our team work incredibly hard to make sure that staff who need to park have the space to do so, whilst maintaining access for patients and visitors. We are committed to effectively managing our car parks and actively encourage sustainable and active travel.

Low-Carbon Lifestyle Advocate

This award celebrates an employee who actively promotes and champions low-carbon commuting practices within their workplace.

Alison Walker, BBC Studios

Alison Walker is a Low-Carbon Lifestyle Advocate Award winner for her efforts in promoting sustainable commuting within BBC Studios. As Head of the Green Team, Alison organised the Sustainable Partners Marketplace, attracting 300+ attendees and fostering positive shifts in attitudes toward sustainability. Her leadership ensures sustainability remains a priority in workplace decisions, driving long-term cultural change. 

Modal Shift Leader Award

Recognising employers who have successfully implemented strategies to shift employees from single-occupancy vehicles to more sustainable transport modes.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA)

By implementing data-driven strategies, NCA achieved an 8% reduction in single-occupancy car journeys, saving over 2,000 tonnes of CO₂. Initiatives like car-sharing, active travel and public transport adoption significantly reduced emissions, congestion and costs, with car-sharers saving an average of £1,000 annually.

Commuting Emissions Advocate of the Year

Honouring employers who raise awareness about commuting emissions and lead efforts to reduce their organisation’s carbon footprint.

Sage

By generating 38 CommuteIQ reports and launching 14 Liftshare communities, Sage empowered employees across multiple countries to embrace sustainable travel. Their clear strategy, senior leadership buy-in, and engaging communications, such as videos and intranet campaigns, highlighted the importance of individual action.

Sustainable Commuting Infrastructure Award

Recognising businesses that have made substantial investments in sustainable commuting infrastructure.

Lotus

In alignment with their ‘Driving Change’ ESG Charter and net-zero ambitions, Lotus have made significant investments in an effort to transform their long-standing single-occupancy vehicle culture. This includes installing EV chargers, developing a solar car port to power factories, upgrading bike storage, enhancing shower and locker facilities and increasing the cycle2work scheme limit.

Sustainable Commuting Wellbeing Award

This award honours organisations that understand the connection between sustainability and employee wellbeing.

Bentley Motors

Bentley Motors won the Sustainable Commuting Wellbeing Award for their carshare initiative, which prioritises employee wellbeing alongside sustainability. By creating 83 car-share bays and using Liftshare, they reduced commuting stress, saved money, and improved work-life balance. The programme, which includes a Guaranteed Ride Home, enhances employee health while contributing to Bentley’s carbon neutrality goals.