8 Future-Focussed Corporate Travel Tips For Green-Minded Businesses

Travelling for business can be very rewarding, and if you do it the right way, jetting off on behalf of your company doesn't have to mean sacrificing the planet along the way. By taking a purposeful approach to travel, companies can seriously reduce their carbon footprint and do their part for the environment.

Embarking on business travel doesn't have to come at the expense of our environment. With a conscious and purposeful approach, it's entirely possible to represent your company across the globe while also safeguarding the planet. This blog post will guide you through simple yet impactful strategies for making your business trips more eco-friendly. From evaluating the necessity of your travel and opting for virtual collaboration tools to choosing sustainable modes of transportation and accommodations, we'll cover essential pre-travel considerations that can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. We'll also dive into practices for being an eco-conscious traveller on the road, such as packing light, minimizing energy and water usage, and supporting local economies. Plus, we'll explore how to continue your sustainable efforts post-trip, including investing in carbon offset programs and encouraging a culture of sustainability within your organization. By adopting these eco-friendly travel tips, companies and employees alike can contribute to a healthier planet without compromising on productivity or travel experiences. Join us as we outline the steps towards a greener, more responsible approach to business travel, showcasing that corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

Here are some easy tips to get you started on the more eco-friendly business travel:

To Consider Before You Jet Off

1. Think twice. Do you really need to hit the road? Sometimes virtual meetings or collaboration tools do the trick just fine. Consider the purpose of your trip and whether it's worth it before you book anything. Content management systems like Wrike, Slack, and Monday are all geared towards collaborating remotely and can make it simpler to keep boots on the ground. 
2. Choose eco-friendly transportation. Opt for greener modes of transportation like trains, buses, or carpooling. For longer trips, look for airlines with carbon offset programs, and for local travel, consider public transport, cycling, or walking. Many countries, including Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Czechia, China and Argentina offer handy bike-share programmes that make it simple to make your way with pedal power. 
3. Selecting sustainable accommodations. Pick hotels with sustainability certifications like LEED or Green Key, and use services that filter for eco-friendly lodging options. For instance, did you know that Africa’s greenest hotel is located 400m from Cape Town International Airport? They use a variety of active and passive energy-management systems to make your stay 100% carbon neutral. 

Hotel Verde is the first hotel in Africa to offer carbon-neutral accommodation and conferencing and has received multiple awards recognising their sustainable efforts and innovations. In fact, it is the first hotel in Africa, and the 6th globally, to receive LEED Platinum status for new construction. This internationally recognised green-building rating & certification system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and audited by the GSBC (Green Building Certification Institute). 

To Implement While On The Road

4. Pack smart. Lighten your load by packing only what you need. Less weight means less fuel consumption during your travels. Besides reducing weight for flights, pack sustainable travel products like reusable water bottles and digital documents. 
5. Be mindful of energy usage. Turn off lights and gadgets when you're not using them, and keep the thermostat in check. Quick showers and reusing towels also go a long way. In fact, make it your goal to minimise waste and carbon emissions during your travels travel by refusing single-use plastics, conserving water and energy in hotel rooms, and choosing digital over paper whenever possible. 
6. Support local. Eat, shop, and travel locally as much as possible. It's not only good for the environment but also the local community. 

To Do Once You’re Back

7. Offset those emissions. Encourage your company’s decision-makers to invest in carbon offset programs to balance out the environmental impact of your corporate journeys, and those of your colleagues. 

For instance, the South African company Credible Carbon is a registry that sells credits from projects that are independently audited against carbon market standards that have been approved by the UNFCCC.  Buying an offset from an emission reduction project can make reducing greenhouse gas emissions affordable. Credible Carbon offsets also improve the living conditions for people in South Africa because we only register projects that help alleviate poverty.

8. Share the love. Spread the word about your sustainable travel adventures and share tips with your colleagues. Together, we can make a bigger difference.

Remember, every little bit helps! Whether it's packing light or picking a green hotel, every small change adds up to a big win for the planet. It is time for a clear travel policy that highlights your company's commitment to sustainable travel and gives employees some guidelines to follow. Get in touch with the TravelManor team to learn more about our corporate travel planning services and how they can help you travel green without sacrificing efficiency.