Small changes can make a big difference. When planning and booking business travel, consider the following sustainability tips:
Before you travel
- Prioritise travelling by rail over air where practical, particularly for shorter journeys.
- Where possible, combine meetings into one trip to avoid multiple journeys.
- Book direct routes where possible to reduce emissions.
- Choose accommodation close to your meeting location to minimise additional travel.
- Select hotels with recognised sustainability certifications such as ECOsmart, Green Tourism and Green Key.
- Travel light where possible, as lighter luggage can help reduce fuel use on flights and transfers.
- Use digital tickets and boarding passes instead of printing where available.
During your journey
- Use public transport where available.
- Consider walking or cycling for short distances.
- Share transport with colleagues where appropriate.
- Choose electric or low emission vehicle options when available.
At your hotel
- Reuse towels and linens where possible.
- Turn off lights, heating, air conditioning and digital appliances when leaving your room.
- Reduce waste by carrying a reusable water bottle or coffee cup.[AS1]
- At check-in ask reception for your room not to be serviced if your stay is short.
Making sustainable choices
When booking travel, look out for sustainability information, certification badges and carbon emissions data to help you make informed decisions.
Every sustainable travel choice, no matter how small, contributes to reducing the environmental impact of business travel and supporting your organisation's wider ESG commitments.