Leave out that High Ranking government officials travel with security, press, aides, etc. Yes it's wasteful, but it's likely the safest, fastest and easiest method to gather decision makers. It's such the long tail of carbon output on the climate emergency.

Additionally, these ministers _should_ be representative (Yes, I am aware that is abstracted in the EU). It doesn't matter who they are personally, they are representing their constituents.

Do I wish that each official would show up by bicycle, sailboat, carbon neutral balloon, train, etc? Indeed I do - and the more whimsical the better. Because it would be theater, but theater is an important part of governance. Having the ministers sacrifice sends a message.

But much more important is what they vote for, what they advocate, what policies they affect - as that is what will move the needle on a better or worse world.

But the real reason I might wish they take the bus is that it just provides this fodder for doing nothing. For other blowhards to point and use this as just another excuse to twiddle our thumbs until the extreme crisis arrives.

Until Al Gore personally delivers organically grown sustainable vegetables to every human on the planet, let's not change industrial policies, taxation, energy plans or researching funding. Let's concentrate on the theater and hypocrisy first, and leave the attainable, sustainable long term profitable policy changes for our grandchildren (fingers crossed there is still a democratic institution around as the world's greatest migration and refugee crisis encircles the planet).

Btw - Google tells me blood boils around the same as water - 100 C. I don't quite see those temperatures occurring, but it will sure feel like it on, say the Indian Subcontinent. Good thing no one lives there!

But there is a definite problem with a demand for personal action, it is both ineffective and usually hypocritical like in the way you suggested.

We absolutely need to demand that all companies and institutions get to carbon neutral or negative status in the products or services they offer.

Every individual can do their part if they want but that’s mostly to feel good, any real progress can only come from the goods/service providers fixing their offers (and that might need all sorts of legislation and incentives to get going, whatever it takes).

(Or check expense claims if they have that detail public.)