10 February 2010

Help needed in making business travel Ã¢â¬ÅâœgreenerÃ¢â¬~

Bosses are setting a poor example at a time when companies are sticking with their commitment to greener travel despite the recession, a new study shows.

Almost half (45%) of respondents to a poll on business travel and the environment say top managers set a bad example in the ‘greenness’ of their travel choices.

The worst offenders are in France and US - 44% of those polled in France say their managers set a poor example (good example: 36%); bosses in the US are also criticised by 44% of respondents (supported by 39%).

The UK has the most virtuous bosses, whose travel choices are approved of by 51% of UK respondents (criticised by 41%).

The findings comes from a survey of 317 business travellers and procurement and travel executives.

The fifth annual poll was conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and online travel and expenses systems firm KDS international.

Cost-cutting came as the top business travel priority for organisations, but Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes have not been dropped in the recession.

The majority of respondents (57%) disagree that their company would care less about CSR because of the financial crisis.

Other findings include:

The majority of respondents (61%) saw employers cut the amount of business travel undertaken in 2009.
Frustrating hopes for quick economic recovery, almost three-quarters expect to travel only the same amount this year, or even less (51%: travel unchanged; 21%: fewer trips). This is partly offset by the 27% who expect to travel more.
Around 19% say travel reductions resulted from CSR goals as well as cost-cutting objectives.
A growing number of travel departments are believed to report to senior management on business travel carbon emissions: in this survey, only 55% said this was not the case, versus 61% the previous year.

Respondents were asked what might help them travel in a more ecologically-conscious way.

Most would like greater information about the carbon emissions of a travel option before booking - 66% say this is something they would welcome.

Some 59% of respondents say they would like more guidance on their employers’ CSR and travel policies.

ACTE president Richard Crum said: "It is a great relief to see that Corporate Social Responsibility remains a strong priority for many corporations, and an equally strong concern for travellers, who are making an effort to reduce their impact on the planet. It is understandable that the last year has seen corporate leadership focus on the financial health of their companies.

"However, it is important to recognize that truly sustainable businesses balance the demands of shareholders with respect for the environment and the people and communities they impact every day."

KDS CEO Yves Weisselberger added: "It is great to see that CSR has been taken to heart by so many organisations.

"However, the survey reveals that employees would like more help in making green travel choices.

"Online travel booking tools can be powerful in this regard, helping with policy enforcement, carbon calculators and highlighting low-carbon options.

"However, there is still much more to be done through employee communications, and here - as in their individual travel choices - top managers must take the lead."

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (9)

speak the language of business

Catherine, We must speak the language of business which is 'âœ show me the numbers. If we continue in an amateur state of mind we are out of the game right from the very beginning. Obviously that in order to have numbers to prove our point we have to take the risk of doing things differently 'âœ I'm with you in this one.

By Maria Lemos, Monday, February 22, 2010
we do all that video conferencing

we have loads of video facilities, have reduced travel by over 20%, etc etc. BUT if we HAVE to travel, we do not know the emissions of rail or car, so we cannot make an informed choice.

By Geoff Allwright, Monday, February 22, 2010
waiting for data?

How much data do you need to delay action. Action speaks louder than stats - try conferencing at home, and support UK tourism businesses for conferences if necessary. But if we all wait for stats, we could be waiting a long time. Not seeing the proof in writing is the oldest excuse in the book, I'm afraid.

By catherine mack, Monday, February 22, 2010
yes, we are doing all that, but

We have done massive reductions in travel, we have loads of video conf, web ex, etc etc. But my point is that further gains can be made if know what is the data for rail, car hotel etc.

By Geoff Allwright, Monday, February 22, 2010
Video-conferencing is absolutely the way forward

I'm with Gary. I work from home and hold the majority of my meetings via video-conference using MegaMeeting because it offers a pay-as-you-go option. It saves me time and a lot of money in petrol and train fares. Of course there may be the occasional appointment that needs to be done in person but it is definitely a great way to become "greener" as a business.

By Rachael Dines, Monday, February 15, 2010
modernity

Generally speaking, companies show a poor knowledge of how to deal with the issue of climate change, CSR, and sustainability. It seems that the practicalities of these don't make their way to the target. And yet people are genuinely interested on doing it (acting on the fight against CC, practicing CSR and on sustainability). Maybe companies should seek advice or train their personnel in order to design business travel according to modernity. In my view, the situation also shows a fiasco of the Media.

By Maria Lemos, Monday, February 15, 2010
Measure

Geoff, I totally agree - we can only improve if we measure. So data is most welcome.

By Maria Lemos, Monday, February 15, 2010
Rail and Car emission data is poor

Ref this survey, the BIG problem is that we as travel managers and travellers, cannot get any reliable, sensible data on rail or car emissions. Also zero information on hotel nights, so if I take a train to save emissions, but have to stay a night in a hotel because the train takes so long, what is my emission total? Therefore we cannot offer employees with correct data / options. I do not think ACTE or KDS can help here. Correct me if I am wrong

By Geoff Allwright, Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Solution to the problem...

...set up a room in the building to do video conferencing. Spend more time with your family and avoid all those rip off charges on any business trip. Save the travel for your holiday instead.

By Gary Phillips, Wednesday, February 10, 2010