London may have implemented a number of environmental measures of its own to encourage green car use, but now it’s the turn of the Scottish capital to get in on the green act.

More than half of the staff that work for Edinburgh city council are now choosing to walk, cycle or travel by public transport thanks to a number of initiatives such as a bike-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and loans to buy bus season tickets.

According to a travel survey conducted by the council, around 44 per cent of respondents travel to work by car with the vast majority travelling alone in their vehicles. Around 31 per cent take the bus or train, while 24 per cent engage in either cycling or walking to work. However, of those driving to work, 81 per cent work outside the immediate city centre.

The council is looking into a number of ways to reduce the number of cars in the city according to a report in the Scotsman. These include implementing a bike share scheme similar to those operating in Paris and Barcelona, and there has been backing for a car sharing scheme run by green car club City Car Club, which has 400 council employees signed up.

Transport bosses also hope that a tram line will help to further reduce the number of cars in the city when it is running from 2011 onwards.

The efforts have been welcomed by green campaigners who believe the council has set an example that could be followed in the future by the Scottish Government.