The firm is already working with Fleet Logistics to select new cars with lower carbon emissions but has brought in a series of mobility solutions to change the corporate mindset to help meet its four-year emissions reduction target.

These revolve around a series of initiatives to encourage employees to use their cars less frequently, including home working, flexible working hours and the ability to work from any of the firm's 12 offices throughout Belgium.

At the same time, under a rail lease scheme, employees can take first-class train tickets for 60 days during the year, provided they do not use their car on one of those days, at no extra cost to themselves.

Also, as part of the mobility project, employees' driving behaviours are being tackled in a series of eco-driving courses to encourage employees to drive more frugally and use less fuel.

Employees are scored on their driving performance, with 80% being considered the average mark for a good driver, and then asked to improve their driving if they fall below an acceptable standard.

For those employees who have the most accidents and the highest fuel consumption, a "safe driver care box" is fitted to their car and linked to GPS to monitor their driving performance, their speed and their fuel consumption.

Electric vehicles will play an increasing role in achieving the carbon reduction targets. Currently, Ernst & Young has three EVs with another seven on order by the end of September. A further 10 will be ordered in 2011 and another 10 the following year.

Employees can book the cars over the company intranet and use them for urban driving situations if en route to see clients.

To handle the administration of its fleet, including sourcing and ordering new vehicles, reporting and helping modify fleet policy, Ernst & Young has a permanently staffed Fleet Logistics implant at its Diegem office.

They are also responsible for implementing multi-bidding for all new Ernst & Young vehicles from a panel of three preferred leasing companies to help reduce acquisition costs.

Peter Soliman, chief executive at Fleet Logistics, said: ’Ernst & Young is a shining example of a best-in-class, beacon fleet which is trying a very innovative mobility solution approach to reducing its corporate carbon footprint. We are fully supportive of this approach and are committed to helping achieve it.’