Sustainable business travel: Everything you need to know
Leveraging technology to minimize travel needs, investing in green transportation, and supporting eco-friendly accommodations—this is the evolution of sustainable business travel.
By 2025, sustainable business travel is now a mainstream priority in the corporate world. will its environmental impact, the travel industry is undergoing a complete transformation.
This shift toward sustainable business travel practices represents a reinvention of how business professionals travel worldwide, while minimizing their ecological impact.
The Urge of Change Nowadays
There wasn't a need for sustainable business travel before, but now there is. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), business travel accounts for approximately 12% of total carbon emissions in the transportation sector. With corporate travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, organizations around the world are implementing significant changes to reduce their carbon footprint:
- The Science-Based Targets initiative reports that more than 3,000 companies have committed to emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science. Reducing business travel is a priority in these strategies.
- The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) found that 76% of travel managers include sustainability criteria in their travel program evaluations.
Industries are Transforming Sustainable Business Travel
Two airlines leading the way in sustainable business travel innovation:
- United Airlines has invested $15 million in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). It is also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050.
- Air France-KLM has implemented a comprehensive CO2 reduction program that includes fleet modernization, aircraft weight reduction, and flight route optimization.
Accommodations
Hotels are reinventing themselves with a focus on sustainability:
- Marriott International's "Serve 360" aims to reduce water consumption by 15% and carbon emissions by 30% by 2025 (we await results).
- Hilton has eliminated single-use plastics at its global properties. They have implemented energy-efficient systems that have reduced carbon emissions by more than 40% since 2008.
Travel management
Corporate travel policies have evolved:
- Microsoft has implemented an internal carbon fee for business travel. This incentivizes employees to choose lower-emission transportation options.
- Salesforce offers its employees a sustainable travel toolkit that calculates the emissions of different travel options.
The real goal: net-zero business travel
The goal driving these sustainable business travel initiatives is to achieve net-zero emissions across the entire business travel sector by 2050, as established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), achieving this goal requires:
- A 90% reduction in direct emissions from business travel.
- A $750 billion investment in the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
- A comprehensive carbon offset of the remaining unavoidable emissions.
The Business Travel Association estimates that implementing current sustainability initiatives could prevent the release of 130 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030.
The Business Case for Sustainable Business Travel
To maintain sustainable practices and continue implementing new initiatives, we need tangible results. Here are a few:
- 71% of business travelers now prefer working with environmentally responsible travel providers (PwC).
- Organizations with strong sustainability programs report 19% higher employee retention rates (Deloitte).
- Companies with robust, sustainable travel policies experienced cost savings averaging 15-20% through more efficient travel planning (McKinsey).
FAQS
What is a sustainable tourism business?
A sustainable tourism business operates by minimizing negative social, economic, and environmental impacts. At the same time, it generates greater economic benefits for local communities. Businesses contribute to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. They involve local communities in decisions that affect their lives and create authentic connections between businesses, local residents, and travelers.
What is the concept of sustainable travel?
Sustainable tourism refers to the practice of visiting places while minimizing the negative impact on the environment and local communities. It includes responsible use of resources, waste reduction, cultural preservation, and support for local economies. The concept seeks a balance between meeting current tourism needs and the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What are the three types of sustainable travel?
- Environmental Sustainability: Minimize ecological impact through carbon offsetting, waste reduction, and resource conservation.
- Sociocultural Sustainability: Respect local cultures, support heritage preservation, and ensure that tourism benefits local communities.
- Economic Sustainability: Create financial benefits for local populations, provide fair wages, and invest in local businesses and infrastructure.
Pamela Herrera
