By Ryan Francis, Year 12
As you may already know and have experienced, Switzerland has an expansive rail network – its passengers are champions in terms of the number of trips and the distances traveled per year!
However, commuting by car is still commonplace. More than half of commuters in Switzerland drive to work rather than taking public transportation, cycling, or walking. Because of this, road transport accounts for about 40% of CO2 gas emissions in Switzerland.
What is Ecolint doing to reduce carbon emissions?
Teachers and staff who park their cars at LGB pay a yearly fee of 720 CHF. Alternatively, staff who choose to take other methods of transport such as buses, trams or even walk to school receive a 500 CHF yearly subsidy. However, staff who occasionally use their car can pay 10 CHF for the day (along with prior reservation). Consequently, staff may choose to drive to school and park their car elsewhere to avoid the fee, which is to show how the policy cannot guarantee 100% effectiveness.
What led Ecolint to start this initiative?
This was introduced because of a change in cantonal tax laws, which would tax employers if they provided free parking for their employees. This measure is one of many outlined in the plan written for 2030, in response to the Climate Emergency Declaration. The estimated reduction of cars used by staff and teachers varies from campus to campus, but many have now changed how they travel to school and are now doing so more sustainably. Contrary to popular belief, the school does not make revenue from the fees paid, as the plan was designed was for it to be break-even. The income from staff paying the parking fees is used to subsidize the staff members who have chosen not to take a vignette.
What do the staff think about this?
We talked to the person responsible for promoting sustainability in Ecolint, Mr. Jan Dijkstra, for his opinion on this specific policy:
“I am encouraged by the commitment shown to this initiative by my colleagues. I have spoken to many and have been impressed by their careful consideration and conscious choices. It is good to remember that life circumstances may be very different from one person to another, so it is important to remain curious about one another’s lives and avoid all judgment. Personally, I feel fortunate to take my electric bike, even when it is raining; it is a good time to think things over and it keeps me fit!”
