How can soft mobility be improved in the workplace?

Today, governments and companies are under pressure regarding climate change. In France for instance, the Energy Transition Act (article 51, applicable from January 1, 2018), requires private companies to develop and implement a Business Travel Plan. One key practice enterprises can promote in their Business Travel Plan is soft mobility. This practice has indeed gained significant attention in recent years, especially in urban areas. 

The expression ‘soft mobility’ appeared in the early 2000s when environmental concerns and climate change became of paramount importance. Soft mobility refers to sustainable forms of transportation that do not rely on fossil fuels and are non-motorized, such as walking, cycling or using public transport, having therefore ‘zero impact’. Climate conditions impose limitations on the use of soft mobility though as winter is less favorable.

One of the methods that has been successful in influencing citizens in a sustainable direction without changing people’s values, is 'nudging’. “Nudges are behavioral change techniques designed to help people make better decisions for themselves or society without violating their freedom of choice”, explain Thaler & Sunstein in their book Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness.