ARTICLE
Green Slate: A New Approach to Business Travel!
The Earth is already 1.1°C warmer than it was in the 1800s. As the November 2022 COP27 gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh made abundantly clear: global carbon emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 if we’re to avoid an irreversible climate disaster.
It’s a daunting picture. And a real challenge for the travel industry where the vast majority of carbon emissions come from air travel.
It’s also given organisations around the world – many who rely on business travel – a lot to think about. While airlines are working hard to develop and scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), it is going to take time. SAF is not yet widely available and accounts for less than 0.1% of the aviation fuel market. Until there are viable, sustainable and scalable alternatives to traditional jet fuel (and none is expected until at least 2030) businesses are going to have to reduce and rethink their business travel.
The good news is that there is a growing appetite for change
In a recent global survey, FCM Travel asked their customers, “Of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are implemented into your travel programme?”.
- 42% of respondents stated #13 – Climate Action;
- 35% stated #3 – Good Health & Wellbeing; and
- 32% stated #12 – Responsible Consumption & Production
This shows that FCM customers are becoming more serious about their company’s sustainability goals – and their travel footprint.
Five ways to put sustainability at the heart of your travel programme
1. Make it a goal
If, for example, your goal is to reduce your company’s emissions by 45% by 2030, you’ll need to eliminate unnecessary trips, prioritizeprioritise ‘quality over quantity’ and, importantly, measure your progress.
There’s no doubt that certain trips can be replaced by virtual meetings. Or that direct flights use significantly less carbon dioxide than connecting flights. Or that many regional flights can be replaced by rail. As an example, the carbon footprint of a Eurostar train is just six grams of carbon dioxide equivalents per passenger kilometerkilometre compared to 255 grams for a domestic airline flight, according to data from the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
Booking data also shows that hotel stays are getting longer. A clear sign that companies are opting to travel less but stay longer – replacing one-night hops with more meaningful trips.
But in order to be successful, you need to calculate your current carbon footprint, look at your travel data to understand how and when you travel, and work closely with your Account Manager to set achievable goals.
2. Create and communicate a new, responsible travel policy
Does your current travel policy reflect your sustainability goals? It should include everything from reasons to travel to preferred supplier guidelines, for example, do you prefer your employees to use public transport? Would you encourage rental EVs?
Importantly, your travel policy should detail your approval processes. Who has to justify travel and who approves? Work closely with your Account Manager to create a comprehensive travel policy – and then communicate it to staff to ensure everyone is onboard and committed to change.
3. Say yes to the tech
Travel technology is advancing quickly, and the right tech can support and drive your sustainability journey, including carbon calculators to measure your impact and dashboards to measure your progress.
Today’s online booking platforms also use alerts and pop-ups to ‘green flag’ more sustainable choices, for example, direct routes, while new features can show CO2 emissions at every point in the itinerary, including each leg of a flight, rail and car journeys. These ‘nudges’ encourage travelers to make greener, more responsible travel choices.
4. Get serious about carbon offsetting
Carbon offset initiatives make it easy for organisation’s to offset their carbon footprint by investing in reforestation and renewable energy projects. In fact, companies can choose projects that match their values and ethos, be it solar, wind, biomass or community-building projects in regions they work.
5. Green your travel supply chain
Choose environmentally-conscious hotel and transport partners. There are standards and certifications for sustainable hotels and resorts such as Green Globe and Green Key. Look out for these and ISO14001 accreditations, and consider booking exclusively green-conscious providers.
There’s no doubt that it’s time for a new, smarter, more responsible approach to business travel.
Some companies have set ambitious goals, others have banned one-day trips. World Wide Fund for Nature UK is implementing strict carbon budgets, whereby a maximum carbon budget is set and divided up between departments – and once it is reached, all travel stops.
It’s time for a clean (green) slate. There are ways and means to reduce your business travel emissions. You just need the will – and the right travel partners to help you do it.
