By Laura Busby, Commercial Director, Good Travel Management
In the modern world, where environmental awareness is escalating, the integration of sustainability into business travel policies is critical, not merely a ‘nice-to-have’ option.
A recent study has revealed that 53 percent of prospective employees would prefer to choose a company that supports sustainable travel, underscoring the potential loss of top talent for businesses that neglect to update their sustainability strategies.
Despite the initial costs of adopting green practices, overlooking sustainability in business travel could tarnish a brand’s reputation, greatly costing a business.
Why sustainable business travel matters
2023 was named as the hottest year on record, a consequence of human-induced climate change.
This is further evidence supporting Ed Hawkins’ Warming Stipes model, which illustrates the significant rise in average global temperatures over the years, beginning in 1850.
Tourism has played its part in this climate crisis and contributes to 8-11 percent of global carbon emissions, with an expected 25 percent increase in emissions from transportation for global travel by 2030.
Building greener policies
Implementing sustainable practices is vital for leading companies and stakeholders towards eco-friendly corporate travel. Policies that favour trains or electric vehicles over planes, encourage fewer but longer business trips and support accommodation options with genuine sustainability accreditations can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
For instance, planes emit 4.84 times more GHG than trains, while opting to travel by train instead of driving will generate ten times fewer GHGs than the equivalent journey by car.
Incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria at the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage fosters a sustainable travel supply chain and aids travel managers in planning greener future journeys. When choosing accommodations, it’s important to evaluate their sustainability practices and credentials, including energy conservation, waste reduction, and local sourcing.
A comprehensive corporate travel policy on sustainability educates travelers about green practices, aligns with the company’s environmental objectives, and sets clear targets, encouraging a shift in travellers’ behaviors.
Travel management companies (TMCs) use their relevant experience and expertise building out comprehensive and personalised travel policies tailored to empower travellers in making sustainable choices at the point of booking.
Offsetting vs. greenwashing
The transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a positive development, though experts recognized that substantial progress is still needed.
Carbon offsetting offers a way to mitigate corporate travel’s climate impact, but it must be approached with accurate carbon data to avoid greenwashing.
Effective carbon management involves prioritizing emission reductions, selecting verifiable offset programs, and maintaining transparency in climate impact reporting.
Carbon data management
Managing carbon data and setting precise targets are pivotal for companies to act in accordance with their sustainability commitments, demonstrating their dedication to reducing the climate impact of corporate travel.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial for the success of these initiatives, ensuring long-term commitment to sustainability goals.
Modern, digitalized data management systems offer a transparent, efficient way to track progress and refine policies, ensuring they meet contemporary sustainability challenges.
