Businesses are under growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, and sustainable business travel is a key area where companies can make significant strides toward greener operations. Not only is this good for the planet, but it also aligns with the values of employees and customers who prioritise sustainability.
In this blog, we’ll explore practical strategies to make your business travel more sustainable, helping you to contribute to a more eco-friendly future while still achieving your corporate objectives.
Maximise your travel
Making the most of any corporate trip that you make is not only good for business, it’s better for the environment too. For example, if you’re already travelling to a city to meet with a new client, consider arranging additional meetings with other prospects or even colleagues while you’re there. This ensures you can save time and money on another journey in the future, as well as optimising business efficiency.
So, before booking that flight or train ticket, get a plan in place to maximise your trip and boost business efficiency in the process! . Encourage your team to adopt a ‘digital-first’ mindset, reserving travel for only those occasions where physical presence is essential.
Choose carbon-neutral modes of transport
Selecting the most sustainable mode of transport is crucial. For short trips, consider travelling by train rather than flying. Trains typically produce significantly fewer emissions than planes and are often more comfortable and productive environments for working on the go.
For longer distances, if flying is the only option, try to book direct flights. Take-off and landing are the most carbon-intensive parts of a flight, so reducing the number of connections can help lower your carbon footprint. Additionally, encourage your employees to fly with airlines that have strong sustainability policies, such as using fuel-efficient aircraft or investing in carbon offsetting programmes.
Offset carbon emissions
Carbon offsetting is a practical way to mitigate the environmental impact of business travel. Although offsetting doesn’t reduce emissions directly, it helps balance them by investing in projects that remove or reduce carbon dioxide elsewhere, such as reforestation, renewable energy, or energy efficiency projects.
Many airlines, travel agencies, and independent organisations offer carbon offsetting options when booking travel. Make it company policy to offset the carbon emissions of all business travel, ensuring that your trips contribute to broader environmental efforts. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking offsets are the solution; you need to make an effort to reduce your own emissions too.
Sustainable accommodation choices
Accommodation can also play a significant role in sustainable business travel. When booking hotels, opt for those with strong environmental credentials. Look for certifications like Green Key, which indicate a commitment to sustainable practices.
Consider factors such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation when selecting accommodation. Some hotels now offer eco-friendly options like reusable toiletries, organic food, and the option to skip daily linen changes to save water and energy.
Encourage sustainable practices on the road
While on the road, employees can further contribute to sustainability by adopting eco-friendly habits. Encourage them to use public transport, walk, or cycle instead of relying on taxis or rental cars. If a car is necessary, choose hybrid or electric vehicles where possible.
Employees should also be mindful of their energy use in hotels; turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and avoiding the unnecessary use of heating or air conditioning. Additionally, they can reduce waste by carrying reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags to avoid single-use plastics.
Implement a green travel policy
To ensure sustainable business travel becomes ingrained in your company culture, it’s important to develop a comprehensive green travel policy. This policy should outline the preferred modes of transport, guidelines for choosing accommodation, and expectations for employee behaviour while travelling.
Moreover, the policy should include a carbon accounting system to track and report the emissions generated by business travel. Regularly reviewing this data will help you identify areas for improvement and set targets for reducing your company’s travel-related carbon footprint.
The best way to put a dependable and sustainable travel policy in place is to outsource your travel needs to a business travel management agency. They can manage your entire policy as well as the nuts and bolts of travel itself.
Sustainability is a must-have
Sustainable business travel is no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity in today’s environmental climate. By rethinking the need for travel, choosing greener modes of transport, offsetting carbon emissions, selecting sustainable accommodation, and encouraging eco-friendly practices, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact.
Implementing these strategies not only helps protect the planet but also enhances your company’s reputation. Businesses that prioritise sustainability are increasingly attractive to investors and Gen Z talent, both of whom are drawn to organisations that demonstrate a commitment to reducing emissions. With a well-thought-out green travel policy in place, your business can continue to thrive while contributing to a more sustainable and forward-thinking future.
Secure your future as a sustainable brand by working with ACE Travel. Find out more about us.