n recent years, sustainability has become a priority for companies, especially for Benefit Corporations that strive to balance profit with social and environmental impact.Why adopt a green travel policy? It’s simple: sustainability is a term that is increasingly discussed, especially in the travel sector, as air travel accounts for 95% of CO₂ emissions.

What is a Green Travel Policy?

environmentalA Green Travel Policy is a set of guidelines that helps companies reduce the environmental impact of business travel through sustainable choices. This policy is designed to:

• Minimize CO₂ emissions: By promoting less polluting means of transport, such as high-speed trains or direct flights.
• Optimize costs: By reducing expenses through efficient and sustainable planning.
• Encourage responsible behavior: By raising employee awareness about the importance of mindful travel.

Difference Between a Green (or Eco-Friendly) Travel Policy and a Green Travel Plan

Although the terms “Green Travel Policy” and “Green Travel Plan” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important differences between the two:

• Green Travel Policy: A set of guidelines and rules established by the company to promote sustainable travel choices. It focuses on how employees should plan and organize business trips in compliance with ecological criteria
• Green Travel Plan: A broader and more customized strategy that includes not only the rules for business travel but also the overall optimization of corporate mobility, such as reducing trips through remote work or adopting carpooling for commuters.

In short, a Green Travel Policy sets the rules, while a Green Travel Plan represents the practical implementation of a broader strategy.

Why is a Green Travel Policy Important for Benefit Corporations?

Benefit Corporations stand out for their commitment to social and environmental objectives. A Green Travel Policy not only strengthens this commitment but also brings tangible benefits:

• Reputation: Enhances the company’s image with clients, partners, and investors who prioritize sustainability.
• Regulatory compliance: Aligns the company with international standards, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Cost savings: Reduces operational costs through better-planned trips and the use of more efficient transportation.

How to Structure a Green Travel Policy

There are several strategies companies can implement to become more sustainable. For example:

• Online MeetingsLimit trips that can be replaced with online meetings to reduce environmental impact and increase employee productivity. Provide employees with digital tools and clear guidance for conducting efficient virtual meetings.
• Travel Habits QuestionnairePreparing a travel habits questionnaire for employees helps to identify the behaviors of each individual.
  By collecting this data, it is possible to set goals and intervene where necessary, as well as taking into account all possible aspects.
• Flights A solution that is certainly sustainable is to prefer direct and non-stop flights, but above all to try to avoid short-haul flights because these are the ones that generate more CO2 per passenger per hour of flight time.
• Sustainability MessagesIt may help reduce your company’s environmental impact to incorporate sustainability messages/requests to decide what is needed and what is not.
  • Is travel necessary? yes | no
  • Can you reach this destination by train?
    
    
  • If you can, consider booking an airplane flight where you will be able to travel in newer aircraft (such as Boeing 787, Airbus 321 NEO or Airbus 350).
    
    
  • Need to rent a car? Prefer hybrid or electric models.
    
    
  • If possible, use public transportation or electric vehicle rentals to get around the city.
    
    

• Green HotelBy now you’ll find many accomodations around that take specific measures to reduce their environmental impact, and many of them also have green certificates.
• Define your green policy goals based on CO2 emissions per day, month, quarter or yearThis system can only be used if you have a data collection system based on a CO2 calculator, it will give you the possibility to measure all emissions whether it is a flight, train or hotel stay.

• Team work for sustainabilityHaving a team made up of people from different departments working as a group is the best way to draft a program regarding sustainability. The more people are aligned on the same topic, the more impactful and correct it will be in every way. This also helps create a sense of responsibility that can be passed on to everyone.
• CO2 offset programRelying on an agency to manage CO2 offsets is already recognizing that you’re taking your own step toward a more sustainable future. (Learn more here)
  
  
• Encouraging the use of green vehicles and hotels Even when traveling is necessary, you can try to reduce your impact anyway. For this reason, a good solution is to try to encourage your employees to use electric vehicles or car sharing services, and likewise, to stay in hotels that promote a “green” service. (discover here all our tips for a green travel)
  
  
• Employee educationMake your employees aware of your sustainability choices, perhaps by explaining the reasons and choices, for example by informing them which hotels are the most “green” services they can use while traveling.
• Choose your goalsThe 2030 agenda for sustainable development of the United Nations aims to create a plan of action for the prosperity of people and the planet, to reduce poverty and help make every human action more sustainable for the planet.Within this plan you can find the 17 points:
  
   
  • No Poverty
  • Zero Hunger
  • Good Health and well-being
  • Quality Education
  • Gender Equality
  • Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Affordable and clean energy
  • Decent work and economic growth
  • Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Reduced inequalities
  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Responsible consumption and production
  • Climate action
  • Life below water
  • Life on land
  • Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • Partnership for the goals

Adhering to these points therefore means actively engaging in bringing well-being and innovation among employees, the community and the environment; precisely the same values that a Benefit corp brings forward.

How to Encourage Your Employees

You can consider a number of actions to incentivise your employees to have a more sustainable attitude, such as:

• Encourage them to use electric bicycles or scooters by offering to cover part of the cost or a free rental service.
• Incentivize with bonuses those employees who are actively engaged in following the policy or giving useful hints to keep the company’s sustainability level high.
• Incentivize them with services such as charging stations for electric cars, parking for bicycles, providing a timetable or offering to reimburse tickets to those who use the vehicles.
• Encourage and reward those who choose to rent electric cars or scooters.

What can BizAway do to make your trips more sustainable?

BizAway simplifies the adoption of sustainable travel practices with innovative tools and a commitment to environmental responsibility. Here’s how:

• Eco-friendly travel options: Easily book low-emission transport, such as high-speed trains or direct flights, and eco-certified accommodations.
• Emission tracking: Access detailed reports to monitor the environmental impact of every trip and make informed decisions.
• CO₂ Compensation Programs: Collaborate with agencies managing CO₂ compensation to contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Optimized travel planning: Plan more efficient trips and reduce unnecessary travel with features that promote virtual solutions or shared travel modes.

Want to start structuring your Green Travel Policy? Download our free template and contact us to see how we can help!