Business travel can have a significant impact on the environment. In fact, it is estimated that business travel accounts for about 2% of global carbon emissions. However, there are many simple changes that business travelers can make to reduce their environmental impact.
Through our partnership with Trees4Travel, we can provide our clients with a simple, impactful, and affordable solution to better understand and manage their carbon footprint, through supporting global reforestation initiatives and investments with certified renewable energy carbon credits.
By following the tips in this blog post, you can help to make your business travel more sustainable and reduce your impact on the environment.
Fly Direct with a non-stop flight - Flying non-stop rather than indirectly means less fuel and emissions. Take-off and landing uses more fuel than being in the air – in fact if your flight has a stopover, it can increase the flight’s total emissions by up to 35%. It also saves you valuable time.
Rethink flying Business and choose Economy class - Flying Economy is much more eco-friendly. Business class bumps your carbon up three times more than flying in Economy class. With more space per seat, each person accounts for a larger portion of the plane’s emissions.
Choose an eco-friendly airline – You can minimise your environmental footprint by choosing an eco-friendly airline. You can also check the type of aircraft you will be flying on – newer models such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, are more fuel efficient and produce less CO2.
Choose the closest airport to your final destination – Some budget airlines often offer cheaper fares to fly to airports that are located far from the city advertised. Think about the travel distance from the airport to your final destination – is there a closer option? This will help reduce unnecessary fuel use as well as time.
Think about how you will travel to the airport. It is not just about flying – it is important to think about how you are getting to the airport. Public transport is the most eco-friendly option, so travel by train, bus, or shuttle where possible.
No frills and low-cost are great choice - Low-cost airlines offer more economy seating making the bets use of aircraft space. Also with unbundled fares, passengers only pay for what they want e.g., meals or baggage, resulting in less waste, less weight, and greater fuel efficiency.
Packing lighter can help to reduce the emissions of your flights – the heavier the plane, the mor fuel it will use. Depending on the duration of your trip, try to stick to hand luggage only.
Bring your own in-cabin items – It is also recommended to bring your own in-cabin items such as a refillable coffee cup/water bottle, earphones, and reusable cutlery, this helps to reduce waste, especially single use plastics.
Don’t print an e-ticket or boarding pass – Instead of printing your e-ticket or boarding pass, it is much more eco-friendly to display it on your mobile device. Most airlines provide airlines free apps where customers can easily download their boarding pass.
Purchase carbon offset credits – You can offset your carbon emissions with our sustainability partner Trees4Travel, who not only support global reforesting projects but also allow travellers to purchase UN certified renewable energy carbon credits investing in international projects across the world.
Invest in a reusable water bottle – In order to reduce single-plastic use, invest in a reusable water bottle. Many airports and hotels now offer drinking water stations where you can refill your bottle. It is also recommended to take reusable bags with you too.
Choose vegetarian or vegan in-flight meals – When booking or choosing your in-flight meal, why not consider a vegetarian or vegan option. Plant-based diets are proven to reduce your environmental impact.
Lower window shades when flying – lowering the window shade when in the air helps to keep the plane cooler. In turn this means less energy is required to power air conditioning and results in a reduction of the total energy required and CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.
Ask about a hotel’s eco-friendly initiatives at check-in – Many hotels, both chain and independent, now offer eco-friendly initiatives for customers to promote greener travel. Ask during check-in if there is anything you can do to help- there is usually a reward in return!
Reduce electricity use during hotel stay – during your hotel stay, it is important to keep your electricity use to a minimum. The best way to do this is to ensure the lights, TV, air conditioning and any other appliances are turned off when not using and when leaving the room.
Use less water – In order to reduce water waste, take short showers and turn the tap off when brushing your teeth. Did you know, turning off the tap when you brush your teeth can save up to 4 gallons of water per person per day.
Don’t ask for you linen to be changed – During your hotel stay, guests are encouraged to use the same towels and bed linen throughout their stay. This helps hotels reduce their water wastage and decrease energy use. Some hotels even offer incentives for keeping the same linen.
Avoid the buffet and eat local – Buffets can be incredibly wasteful, it is much more eco-friendly to order from the a la carte menu instead. Try to eat locally sourced food at independent restaurants as it supports the local economy. It is important to consider how far your food has travelled!
To find out how we can help you and your business achieve your sustainability goals speak to a member of the CT Business Travel Team on 01892 673422 or enquire here.
