It might be just a few lines in an email, a one-page doc or even a few pages of detailed travel info. No matter how formal or lengthy your policy is, there are quite a few ways to take it from good to great.
Travel has always focused on becoming simpler, faster and easier. But a new ambition has been added to the list for many travel programs: greener.
Sustainability may have been a buzzword five years ago but it’s more than that now. Companies are more conscious of their carbon footprint and are actively seeking ways to reduce their emissions. Travellers are changing their mindsets as well – according to The 2021 Sustainable Travel Report released by Booking.com in November 2021, 72% of Australian travellers think sustainable travel is vital and 69% want to use more environmental friendly modes of transport.
According to our corporate consulting team in the first quarter of 2022, almost eight in 10 companies they had partnered with, were starting to integrate sustainability into their travel programs. The top travel program focus areas for companies across the globe include -:
- Travel policy change and traveller education
- Managing the need for travel
- Travel supply chain analysis
- Reporting and carbon offsetting.
In saying that, the journey to more sustainable travel is really only just starting for many companies, including the travel sector. Qantas is increasing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its goal of net zero emissions by 2050 and global hotel chains all have ambitious sustainability targets in place stretched over the next few decades.
For small businesses and start-ups with fewer resources and less cash flow than a big multinational, it can be challenging to integrate sustainability into your travel program. But… there are several ways you can start thinking about how to shift your mindset and evolve your travel program to support a more sustainable future. These include:
- Working towards your business’s overall sustainability strategy
- Data and reporting that shows your carbon impact and other metrics (can be for flights, hotels or even ground transport)
- Rethinking your travel and expense policy with the environment in mind (ie economy class is far more friendly for the environment than business class)
- Choosing to work with airlines, hotels and car transport that support your sustainability goals and values
- Booking more sustainable travel options such as electric cars. (If you’re a Tesla fan – now is your chance to try one!)
- Developing partnerships that offset carbon and support sustainable initiatives.
Corporate Traveller has tools in place to support businesses becoming more sustainable. Our reporting suite now includes data to measure your footprint and we’ve signed partnerships with numerous high value and accredited carbon offsetting organisations to assist clients with offsetting programs.
We’re also taking our own steps to reduce the environmental impact of our business, including the recent hire of Michelle Degenhardt, Global Sustainability Officer.
If sustainability is one of your focus areas for 2022, talk to your Travel Consultant or Customer Success Manager about what options are available to your business.
