ASK THE EXPERTS
BY MARTIN FERGUSON
ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL POLICY AND PROGRAMME Whether people admit it or not, the environment usually
BEFORE THE FINANCIAL CRASH, the subject of sustainability was high on the corporate agenda. Green travel was discussed in the pages of trade magazines and in panel sessions at indus- try forums. CO2 (carbon dioxide, often referred to simply as carbon) calculators and emissions reduction programmes were de rigueur. But after the meltdown, the corporate world became obsessed with cost reduc- tion. Investment in sustainable development dried up in many organisations.
plays second fiddle to profit. Organisations such as the GBTA, ITM and ACTE worked hard to keep the topic alive. Some well-resourced companies were also able to retain partial focus through the downturn. Now, sustainability is well and truly back on the agenda, but not just because the economy is bouncing back. Government legislation in the UK and in Europe is making it harder for public and private sector bodies to ignore.
The specialist
BERNARD HARROP, head of sustainability, Project Icarus, GBTA Foundation
HAVING A SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL PROGRAMME for business travel and meetings is no longer simply a nice thing to do. A re- quirement for greater transparency from stakeholders, staff and customers, linked to a growth in UK and European Union legislation, is making it a necessity. A GBTA survey found that more than 57 per cent of European companies have sustainability initiatives in their travel policy, while 52 per cent think sustainability is now more important than two years ago. The most
40 BBT MAY/JUNE 2015
common sustainability initiative is the management of CO2 emissions. When creating a CO2 reduction pro-
gramme, start with the end in mind and follow a process that delivers measurable and achievable results. Showing a return on investment, alongside gaining support and engagement of both the company leadership and frequent travellers, is key to achieving your target. There are several steps to this. First, identify your company’s key corporate sustainability objectives and align the travel programme. Seek out environmental experts in your company. Second, collect
CO2 data from key suppliers, as well as TMCs [travel management companies], online self-booking tool providers and credit card companies. Define a high-level set of goals and objectives in line with your company’s current environment policy. Then, calculate the potential reduction in total CO2: for example, a 5 per cent reduction in year one, rising to 15 per cent the following year. Then, create a programme that identi-
fies ways to minimise business travel and meetings emissions. That could be better managing the demand for travel or choosing lower CO2 options to also reduce emissions per trip. Companies can invest in CO2 offsets to compensate for the emissions produced. Finally, implement the programme.
Don’t skimp on resources. Be prepared to invest over a sustained period. Integrate and align new travel procedures to ensure business-as-usual. The success of any programme will come
by gaining management endorsement, being patient, delivering clear motivational communications, recognising success and maximising employee engagement.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
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