bank mecu - responsible banking

bankmecu recognises the impact transport has on the environment and monitors performance to manage this aspect of bankmecu’s operations. Motor vehicle and air travel are the primary modes of transportation used by bankmecu employees for the purpose of business-related travel.

Car travel

bankmecu’s Vehicles Policy addresses the purchasing and use of Company-owned vehicles. New pool vehicles purchased must be manufactured in Australia and meet a minimal greenhouse rating of seven and a half, for metropolitan car travel, or five, for regional trips or carrying larger loads, as specified by the Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide. They must also have a minimum safety rating of three stars, as specified by the Australian New Car Assessment Program.                   

Overall business related car travel increased by 22% compared to 2009/10. Car travel increased largely as a result of including business use mileage from packaged cars in the figures this year. In previous years only job needs vehicles were measured, i.e. pool cars and personal cars used for business purposes. 

Pool car mileage increased by 12% from 2009/10 and personal car usage claims increased by 3% largely as a result of increased activity due to expanded operations.

Figure 8e: Total business related car travel (km) 

Air travel

In 2010/11 there was an increase in the number of flights taken by bankmecu staff, management and Directors, increasing overall air travel by 35%. This is attributed predominantly to more interstate travel being taken as a result of expanded operations, together with some international flights to attend conferences. 

Figure 8f: Business related air travel (km)

In 2010/11 bankmecu implemented or continued the following travel reduction activities:

• eco Drive training which is included in the induction process for all new employees
• eco Drive tips are provided on the intranet for staff perusal
• public transport ticket availability to staff working at the Head Office for business related trips
• staff and members at Head Office have access to a bike rack to encourage the use of bicycles
• bankmecu advance up to $1000 a year for the purchase of a public transport ticket or bicycle to be used as transport to work to be paid off by staff over 26 pay periods
• a Car Pooling Register is available on the intranet for employees who wish to share the drive to work with colleagues in their local area; and
• awareness raising through Footprints initiatives. For example, providing information to staff on the negative impacts of cars and the positive impacts of alternative modes of travel.