5 Easy Ways to Make Business Travel More Sustainable

It’s never been easier and more important to implement corporate social responsibility into business travel.  Going green on the road will not only make your business look good, it can create a massive impact on the world around us.  Here are 5 easy ways to make your business travel more sustainable:

#1 Fly Direct with carry-on luggage only

Taking the most direct route will avoid creating more emissions from more takeoffs, landings, and taxis for your aircraft.  If you’re flying during the day, opt for economy flights as it allows more people on the plane and less emissions created per person.  In addition, packing light with just a carry-on is easier to handle and creates less hassle and less labour when boarding the plane.

#2 Schedule your time wisely

Stack your meetings to opt for less travel time between commitments.  If possible, schedule several business trips back to back to save fuel, money, and time.  Taking your vacation on the front or back end of a business trip (see our blog on Bleisure) is another great way to ensure you eliminate as much unnecessary energy as possible.

#3 Choose green hotels and venues

Look for LEED-certified hotels and buildings or check out Green Key to ensure your employees are staying and meeting at the most eco-friendly places possible.  Environmental stewardship in the hospitality sector has become instantly, easily measurable and a great way to support sustainability on a global platform.  Be sure to ask your travel provider for green-preferred suppliers that fit this profile.

#4 Take eco-friendly ground transportation

Begin with choosing a hotel or meeting space that is close to a central transportation hub to give you the best range of public transport or ride share options on your trip.  In a lot of cases, it’s easier to walk or take a train than hail a cab – and a lot more environmentally friendly.  If you are heading to a conference, take advantage of group-arranged shuttles and charters wherever possible.

#5 Be a green guest

Sustainability ultimately means you must take ownership of your choices on the road.  This means considering every decision you make – everything from reusing towels in your hotel room, to recycling wherever possible, to bringing your own reusable water bottle and coffee tumbler instead of purchasing plastic on the go.  Be conscious of how your decisions affect the world around you, and you’ll soon be a green road warrior.

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