In today’s globalized world, business travel is a necessity. Sustainable business travel focuses on reducing the environmental impact of corporate travel without compromising business objectives. It also considers financial and social aspects, as companies discover the cost efficiencies of alternatives to traditional travel.
Thorough preparation is key, and understanding the nuances of your destination before you depart can make all the difference, as highlighted in guides for international travel like this one on driving in Europe: https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/01/14/driving-through-europe-top-things-you-need-to-know-before-hitting-the-road/. This shift is making sustainable travel a core company strategy — no longer just an option, but a business essential.
As a result, organizations are asking key questions: “What does sustainable business travel look like in practice?”, “How can we implement a sustainable travel policy?”, and “Why is technology important for this transition?”. This reflects a growing demand for efficient, sustainable travel enabled by digital innovation.
So, what’s sustainable business travel?
Basically, it’s all about finding ways to travel for work that are better for the planet, your wallet, and your schedule. This means using smart tech to book trips, picking greener ways to get around (like electric cars), and jumping on a video call instead of a plane when you can. Companies are now looking for real results, like better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and travel plans backed by solid data.
Why’s everyone talking about it now?
From governments to customers and investors, everyone’s putting pressure on companies to cut down their carbon emissions from business travel. People want to see real action and transparency.
Did you know that business travel can make up a huge 30% of a large company’s carbon footprint? According to Reuters, it’s a big piece of the pie, but also one of the easier things to fix. Plus, the younger Gen Z workforce cares a lot about the climate and wants to work for companies that get it. On top of that, smart, sustainable travel plans can seriously cut down on costs for fuel, transport, and hotels. It’s a win-win.
From a buzzword to a business plan
The idea of “green travel” has been around since the early 2000s. Back then, it was mostly small stuff like encouraging recycling or using virtual meeting software.
But things got serious in the mid-2010s. Scary climate reports, like the 2023 IPCC Synthesis Report, pushed sustainability from a nice-to-have to a must-do, with new government rules to back it up.
Now, sustainable business travel is a big deal for a company’s strategy and reputation, thanks to:
- Global climate pacts.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
- Better virtual meeting tech.
- The boom in remote work.
- Customers demanding greener options.
- More electric and hybrid cars on the road.
- Savings from making smart, eco-friendly travel choices.
And with new tech popping up all the time, we expect business travel in 2026 to get even greener and more efficient.
Perks for companies and their people
Check out how our solutions help both the business and the team. Here are some of the main benefits:
A lighter footprint:
- Cut down on carbon emissions and pollution.
- Use more electric vehicles and transport powered by renewable energy.
- Use less fossil fuel.
Save money:
- Lower fuel bills by using electric or hybrid cars.
- Travel less often with smarter trip planning.
- Find eco-friendly routes at the best prices with smart booking tools.
What goes into a sustainable business travel policy?
Building a green travel policy is about putting strategies in place that cut your environmental impact without sacrificing efficiency or breaking the bank. Here are the key things to think about:
Set clear goals
Decide on clear, measurable targets for sustainability. Think about what you want to track, like boosting EV use to cut emissions by a certain amount, always picking direct flights, or deciding when a trip is truly necessary. Pro-tip: AI tools can help you figure out the costs and benefits of these choices.
Rank your rides
Create a go-to list of travel options that puts the greenest choices first, like electric or hybrid cars. Car rental partners you trust, like SIXT, can get you set up with EVs and flexible plans for work travel. For shorter distances, suggest taking a train or public transit instead of flying.
Get your team on board
For any of this to work, you need your whole team to be on board. Teach your staff about green options, how to book them, smart ways to plan routes, and even how to drive more efficiently. Giving them digital tools to track their own emissions can also help them see their impact and make better choices.