Industry Insights
Brian Tarns
November 3, 2021
For the final installment of our three-part series, we focus on the shopper. Specifically, the business traveler or a leisure traveler shopping for the 'least offending' carbon emissions options, which could save twenty, thirty, or even fifty percent if selected instead of an older, less efficient plane. There has been visible progress on many fronts.
Every booking decision a business traveler makes has an environmental impact. While individual choices may seem small, aggregated across an organization with hundreds or thousands of travelers, the collective impact is substantial.
Choose direct flights whenever possible — takeoffs and landings account for a significant portion of a flight's total emissions. Select economy class, which has a lower per-passenger carbon footprint than business or first class. When traveling short distances, consider train alternatives.
Modern travel booking platforms like ITS can surface carbon emission data at the point of booking, making it easy for travelers to compare not just price and schedule but also environmental impact. This transparency empowers informed decision-making.
The corporate travel industry is at an inflection point. Companies that invest in sustainable travel practices now will be better positioned as regulations tighten and stakeholder expectations evolve. Every traveler has a role to play.
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