Business Travel: How to Make it More Sustainable
Business travel has long been a necessary part of running a company, and although hat has changed somewhat with more and more teleconferencing options becoming available, it cannot always be avoided, so what can you do to make it greener instead? There are a number of ways you can make your trips more sustainable when you do need to take them, as you will see below…
Enlist a Corporate Travel Planner with a Green Thumb
Start things off on the right track by partnering with a corporate travel planner who’s as green as they come. These pros are like the special ops of travel, expertly navigating the best routes, deals, and sustainable options without breaking a sweat. They’ll hook you up with eco-friendly hotels, book flights with airlines that use sustainable aviation fuel, and maybe even toss in a carbon offset option so you can feel a bit better about that cross-continental hop.
Pack Light, Fly Light
Here’s a hot tip: every kilogram counts when flying. The heavier the plane, the more fuel it guzzles. So, pack like a minimalist artist—think twice about whether you really need seven pairs of shoes for a three-day trip. Plus, navigating airports is a breeze when you’re not lugging around half your closet.
Digital Documents: Save Trees, Save Sanity
Still printing out every document? Let’s pivot to digital. Keep your boarding passes, conference agendas, and hotel reservations on your trusty smartphone. Your back pocket can carry what a briefcase used to, and you’ll never experience the terror of a lost paper ticket ten minutes before boarding.
Choose Public Transport: Be a Local, Sort of
Once you’ve landed, embrace the charm of public transport. Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but you’ll also get to rub elbows with locals (figuratively, please, personal space is still a thing). Whether it’s the Tube, the Metro, or an old-school tram, it beats sitting in traffic and helps reduce your travel-related emissions.
Eat and Drink Local
Speaking of local, ditch the usual global chains and eat where the locals eat. Supporting local businesses reduces transportation emissions associated with importing food and gives you a real taste of the place you’re visiting. Plus, nothing seals a deal better than a meal that comes with a story.
Stay Charged and Unplugged
Opt for accommodations that offer sustainable practices. Hotels that sport eco-certifications usually have energy-efficient lighting, low-flow showers, and bedding laundered on request. It’s like sleeping in an eco-paradise, minus the guilt.
Meet Virtually When You Can
And here’s a radical idea: sometimes you don’t need to travel at all. When possible, opt for virtual meetings. It saves on travel costs, personal energy, and the planet’s resources. Virtual handshakes might not be as satisfying, but they can be just as effective.
Making your business travel more sustainable doesn’t require drastic changes, as you can see, it just requires smarter ones. You just need to be a little more mindful and all will be well.
