The pandemic has taught us the importance of taking things slowly. People have become more aware of previously unnoticed aspects of their lives, such as health and the environment, in the last two years. The public has realized that one cannot thrive without the other, and that taking care of one’s surroundings and keeping the environment sanitary means valuing the health of the immediate population.
A survey earlier this year found that 91% of travelers aim to travel sustainably in the coming months which is 3% more than the statistics in 2021. Furthermore, while 94% of travelers said that sustainable travel is essential to them, 68% said that recent news headlines on climate change influenced their decisions.
Sustainable travel entails making more informed decisions during the journey. It begins with the booking of transportation and lodging and comes into play when discovering local experiences to explore and part-take in. The most effective solution to counter travel-related emissions is to avoid traveling. This, however, is impossible to do for client-facing industries where developing relationships is important.
Let’s look at ways to promote a sustainable way to proceed with corporate travel.
- Make the best use of technology
Companies should encourage more regular and efficient use of the myriad digital tools available now for working remotely. Invest in modern software and other solutions that allow your company to hold virtual meetings, individuals and teams to collaborate regardless of where they are on the planet, and managers to check in with clients in between more essential face-to-face meetings.
- Look into alternatives means of travel
Airplanes alone contribute to 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Traveling by train on the other hand produces around seven times fewer emissions than flying on the same journey. This may not be a viable option for cross-country travel, it is ideal for regional travel. In addition, traveling via train is significantly less expensive than flying.
- Direct flights should be taken into consideration
Think direct for excursions that must be taken by plane. There’s no denying that flights with layovers are more cost-effective, but they come at a significantly higher environmental cost. This is because emissions are largely emitted during takeoff and landing. Avoiding layovers is a more environmentally friendly option. Major airlines have begun to publish the carbon emissions of their flights to assist you in making an informed decision.
- Green is the way to go
Consider rewarding employees who choose to take public transportation or rideshares to their trip rather than renting a car. If you absolutely need a rental car, consider changing your travel policy to accept economy, compact, hybrid, or electric automobiles.
The constant encouragement of sustainable means of travel is important for the future of our planet. Companies should take a stand and align their vision with going green for the sake of our environment.
