Business travel is an essential part of many professionals’ lives, but often comes at a cost to the environment – the carbon emissions from air travel contribute to climate change. However, by making just a few conscious choices, you can reduce your carbon footprint while still conducting business on the road. Keep reading to learn some practical tips for eco-friendly travel.
Pack Light
The first and best way to ensure you’re not having as much of an impact on the environment is simply to take less luggage with you. Every bit of extra weight on an aeroplane will increase fuel consumption, resulting in more carbon emissions. If you pack light and only bring the essential items, then you can reduce the weight of the plane and help lower the emissions of your journey. Take versatile clothing that you can mix and match, so you don’t need to take multiple outfits. If you’re planning to take paper files and documents with you for meetings and presentations, consider taking digital alternatives instead.
Stay In Eco-friendly Hotels
Your accommodation can have a significant impact on whether your business trip counts as eco-friendly travel. Look for hotels that have implemented sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient lighting or water conservation plans. The Earth Hotels group builds hotels that conserve natural resources – they have built-in solar panels and have banned single-use plastics. They’re opening their next hotel in Ras Al Khaimah in 2025, but there are already other sustainable hotels in the emirate, including the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.
Offset Your Carbon Emissions
It might not be possible to eliminate all the carbon emissions from your travel, but you can make up for it by taking part in carbon offset programs. These invest in projects such as reforestation or renewable energy, and strive to balance out the carbon emissions of your business trip. There are many organisations that offer carbon offset options, and a DMC like Safarak can find the right one for you, helping you take responsibility for your carbon footprint.
Virtual Meetings
While it might sound counterintuitive, one of the best ways to guarantee eco-friendly travel is to simply not travel. Consider using videoconferencing technology to run virtual meetings. This technology’s advanced significantly – with high-quality audio and video, videoconferencing is a much more feasible alternative to in-person meetings. You can meet with clients or colleagues even if they live on the opposite side of the globe, saving you time and money – and reducing your carbon footprint. While online meetings are the best way of lessening your impact on the environment, sometimes there’s no alternative to a face-to-face meeting. If travel is essential, then you should make environmentally-conscious decisions wherever possible – fly with a sustainable airline, and use public transport at your destination if you can.
Support Local Businesses
When travelling for business, try to support the communities wherever you’re visiting. By eating at local restaurants or buying your souvenirs from local shops, you’ll be contributing to the local economy and reducing the carbon emissions that come from bigger brands. This will also give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination, ensuring your eco-friendly travel experience is rewarding and memorable.