How to Think Sustainability About Business Travel
As travel restrictions loosen, more business travelers are looking to get out of town for business more than ever before. Yet at the same time, there are more reasons to be judicious and environmentally conscious about when and how to travel for work. More businesses are considering sustainable travel options and the carbon footprint of work-related travel . What can businesses do to reduce their carbon footprint from business travel in a post-pandemic world?
There are several ways to approach sustainable business travel. These can include assessing what kind of travel is practical, what options make the most sense environmentally, and other tactics to keep your footprint smaller.
1. Consider the Travel Purpose
The global embrace of virtual meeting customs and technology have made some forms of business travel far less necessary. Business travelers should first consider the necessity of their travel: could this in-person meeting be a virtual one? Or, if travel is still absolutely necessary, workers can optimize their travel so it coincides with colleague or client visits. This can help reduce the amount of travel happening while making it more efficient as well.
2. Offer Alternatives to Travel
Much of the professional world had to get accustomed to digital tools, like video conferencing, in short order due to the pandemic. The good news is that a broader number of people have the skills and confidence necessary to use this technology, meaning more people can take advantage of their employer’s virtual workplace tools. One of the best ways businesses embrace sustainable travel is to utilize other options, like virtual meetings, before booking.
In lieu of frequent travel, businesses may also want to consider setting up real-time communication channels that can enable them to solve problems with clients in a rolling manner. Some new technological solutions enable direct connections between businesses and clients, and keeping in touch frequently can help limit the need for business travel.
3. Consider How to Get There
Flying between Toronto and Vancouver might be the most straightforward way to cross the country. Flying between Ottawa and Montreal, on the other hand, is expensive and not likely necessary. These might be obvious examples, but there is nuance to how we travel for business.
Options like trains or buses for short- to medium-length trips are often more eco-friendly than driving solo or flying. Sustainable travel policies should account for alternatives to flying, especially if there is a viable eco-friendly option. It may also help to offer carbon-conscious employees with alternatives to flying even if they take a bit longer. Employees may be willing to sacrifice time for a more sustainable way to travel.
4. Embracing Sustainable Business Travel
Businesses around the world are increasingly looking for ways to travel sensibly and sustainably. The explosion of video meeting technology and remote work can benefit those who want to travel consciously, since the overall volume of travel required may drop in the new world of work. This can be great for both your travel budget as well as the environment, allowing you to focus more on the big and memorable trips.
When travel is unavoidable, however, it’s important to think sensibly about how, when, and why you hit the road. There are different ways to get from point A to B, and some are better for the environment than others. Exploring all of your options, including not traveling at all, can help you lessen your footprint.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion on any issue. It should not be regarded as comprehensive or a substitute for professional advice.