Business travel: 11 tips for keeping it green

Business travel is a big part of the travel and tourism sector — a sector that, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), contributed 10.4% to global GDP in 2019. In 2020, that decreased to 5.5%, due to ongoing restrictions to mobility.

But with pandemic restrictions gradually being lifted, greater travel, particularly corporate travel, is projected in 2022.

We all know that both national and international business travel is vital. It does, however, cause harm to the planet.

The expense, social impact and environmental consequences of various kinds of business travel are all factors to consider when planning sustainable trips.

As businesses reconsider and reconstruct their travel programs for a post-pandemic future, it’s an ideal time to embrace sustainability, safety and convenience.

Importantly, businesses must take action to achieve sustainable business travel in 2022.

There’s much you can do to make a significant difference, whether you’re travelling for business, setting your company’s business travel policy, or planning trips for others.

A sustainability-focused business travel policy can be a strong instrument for influencing your organisation’s carbon footprint while simultaneously providing your employees with the assistance they need to safely and effectively carry out their obligations.

How to build a sustainable business travel policy

1. Always choose digital tickets

   Your travel documents should not be printed. Encourage your company’s travelling workforce to become digital by implementing a ‘no printing’ travel policy.

   Airports and hotels all across the world accept e-tickets for things like:

   • Airline reservations;
   • Itinerary receipts;
   • Boarding passes; and
   • Booking confirmations.

2. Prioritise sustainable destinations for meetings and team building

   Always consider holding essential business events, such as off-site meetings or team-building exercises, in environmentally friendly locations. According to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Destination Criteria, there are now many countries that have carbon-neutral cities or environmental urban development that are ideal for business travel.

   This supports organisations that help to preserve the environment and allows your company to have a more authentic travel experience in sustainable destinations.

3. Approve more direct flights

   For travel that really must be taken by plane, try to think ‘direct’. There’s no denying that flights with layovers are more cost-effective, but they come at a significantly higher environmental cost. Because emissions are largely emitted during takeoff and landing, avoiding layovers is a considerably more environmentally friendly option. 

   Many major airlines have begun to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of their flights to assist you in making an informed selection.

4. Encourage greener travel on the ground

   Promote the use of electric vehicles to reduce emissions. According to a study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, electric vehicles can significantly reduce carbon pollution from transportation while also improving air quality. 

   Include electric cars in your company’s travel policy so that your travel workforce can reduce their carbon footprint and have a beneficial impact on the environment both globally and locally.

5. Take public transport

   If your destination doesn’t have electric cars available, encourage your travellers to use public transit such as buses and trains wherever possible. Cleaner fuels or alternative technologies are used to power many cities’ bus and train systems.

6. Choose green hotels

   Make green hotels a priority in your travel policy. It will contribute to the green movement while also protecting the environment. More hotels are adopting green practices and have been developing sustainability through creative solutions such as:

   • Green roof technology;
   • Automatic shut-off on lights and air conditioners;
   • Sourcing local and on-site cuisine; and
   • Water conservation programs.

7. Reduce, reuse, recycle

   Create a program for your staff that encourages them to use less paper and plastic and recycle as much as possible. Extend those programs to travellers while on the road, beyond the four walls of your offices.

   Encourage travellers to bring reusable water bottles and toiletry items, for example, rather than relying on single-use, disposable options provided by the hotel or airline.

8. Eat local

   Encourage your travellers to eat less carbon-intensive foods. By purchasing local food, you can help support local communities and businesses. You will not only be supporting locals, you will also be benefiting the environment. Eating local food means:

   • Eating fewer imported products;
   • Eating less processed foods; and
   • Eating fresher products.

9. Offset your carbon emissions

   Make up for your emissions by investing in a carbon reduction project elsewhere. Carbon reduction projects are used to offset emissions by contributing funding to various emissions reduction efforts, often in other regions of the world. 

   Here are some top carbon offset programs you can check out:

   • NativeEnergy;
   • Sustainable Travel International;
   • TerraPass;
   • Clear;
   • MyClimate; and
   • 3Degrees.

10. Support employees to do the right thing

    Provide instructions on how to use virtual tools or travel managers, connecting them with  specialists to whom they can turn for help. 

    Employees desire to do what is right. So they should also be better prepared to replace travel with virtual alternatives. Detail the various communications tools you can offer and provide relevant links to access them, as well as any training resources that may be available, in your policy.

11. Educate employees about sustainable travel

    Your employees must understand why this is something your company supports. The best way to achieve your objective of a more eco-friendly business travel program is to get your staff on board with what you’re attempting to do.

    Your business travellers will be more aware of their environmental impact, and make greener choices, as a result of their education. This will ultimately help your company, the travel destination areas, and the environment as a whole.