The University of Sydney Business School’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) and the Business Council of Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia) have launched a survey to assess the impacts of the changes businesses have had to make during the pandemic.
Taking stock of the drastic changes businesses and society has made to combat the virus such as remote working conditions, reduced use of cars and public transport, the survey will assess the impact of these changed circumstances and how this will effect businesses post-pandemic.
According to the organisations, the enforcement of stay-at-home orders around Australia and the world has resulted in behavioural changes and a rethink of how we work and live.
Data is already showing improved air quality resulting from a reduction in commuting and that remote work can be extremely productive for those working in certain sectors and roles.
ITLS chair John Nelson said that now is the time for businesses to assess and discuss permanent changes.
"With millions of workers now working from home this is exactly the right time for business to discuss sustainable mobility and to identify opportunities for business-wide change, such as flexible and remote work, lowering emission fleets and freight, as well as considering how customers and visitors access their sites.
"Through this survey we will better understand how business and communities are currently responding and also rethinking their approach to mobility management throughout their organisations and supply chains in a post-pandemic world.
"These insights will be invaluable for formulating responses that can support business and workers, help to stimulate financial markets while also supporting pathways to a decarbonised economy," he said.
BSCD Australia’s mobility and cities program director Sarah Forde added that the survey will help to shed light on business preparedness.
"We are witnessing global and systemic impacts to mobility and how we work.
"In discussions with our members, we hear that business is keen to understand the impacts of these changed circumstances and their preparedness compared to what they were addressing before the impact of the virus on society and our economy.
"This survey is a business-wide examination to help our members and ultimately the broader business community to better design of sustainable measures to ensure long-term preparedness," she said.
The survey takes 10-15 minutes and covers flexible work, staff and customer journeys, how suppliers and products move through the value chain, and the impacts on building and parking facilities, fleets, electric vehicles, logistics, infrastructure and technology.
The Mobility Pulse Survey is open to companies of any size and sector. Responses are confidential and will be used to gather trends, highlight gaps and opportunities. Individual company results will not be identified publicly.
The survey is available on the BCSD Australia’s website until Friday 1 May.