Professional travel

Transport has the highest reliance on fossil fuels of any sector and accounted for 37% of CO2 emissions from end‐use sectors in 2021(1). Almost 40% of particulate matter (PM2.5) comes from transport (2). Business and professional travel account for 15% of travel globally(3)(4). The share of international travel by air has increased from 46% in 2000 to 58% in 2018, while international land transport has decreased from 49% to 39% in the same period (train travel representing 2% in 2018).

As a consequence of global lockdown and stay-at-home measures, mobility and its associated emissions declined by an unprecedented amount in early 2020. Global business travel spending fell by roughly 61% in 2020 over the previous year due to the pandemic. (5) Transport demand is rebounding since 2021, both passenger and cargo. Global aviation passenger numbers are expected to return to 2019 levels in 2023 and demand is projected to grow over the next decades. (6)

Professional travel is one of the greatest contributors to an organisations’ carbon footprint. This is especially true for the aid sector, which provides assistance worldwide. Meetings, trainings, missions, evacuations, leaves – there are numerous reasons for travelling.

Reducing and adapting one’s professional’s travel behaviour is a critical step in mitigating the climate footprint of an organisation. However, these changes must not compromise the mission of the aid sector of assisting individuals worldwide. Professional travel solutions must therefore be carefully selected and adapted to the various contexts, geography, accessibility, security or travel reasons.

Professional travel solutions are relatively easy to implement, without contravening the aid organisations primary objectives. They provide substantial emission reduction, they have an immediate effect, they require minimal intervention, they are easily measurable and they have a high symbolic value. According to a 2021 study, 83 % of travelers worldwide believe that sustainable travel is important (7)

In addition to reducing the number of trips, several other types of solutions exist: fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, alternative modes of transport.

An ambitious travel policy is one of the cornerstones of an effective climate strategy at an organisation’s level. It sets the rules and provides a clear and common framework for all staff. It allows for bold climate actions and best individual practices to be generalised across the entire organisation, thus scaling up the impact.

Specific tools can be developed or adjusted to support the implementation of the policy, such as a travel decision & booking tool.

Innovative financial means can be introduced to support a balanced budget, such as an internal carbon taxthat can be reinvested in green practices.

Behavioural incentives are essential. Awareness raising posters are useful tools to inform and engage the staff.

(1)Improving the sustainability of passenger and freight transport, IEA, 2023. Read here.

(2) Air pollution sources, European Environment Agency, 2021. Read here.

(3) International Tourism Highlights, World Tourism Organisation, 2019. Read here.

(4) Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2021, Statista. Read here.

(5) Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2021, Statista. Read here.

(6) Tracking Transport, IEA, 2020. Read here.

(7) Share of travelers that believe sustainable travel is important worldwide in 2022. Statista. Read here.

(8) UCL news, Arctic sea ice loss linked to personal CO2 emissions. Read here.

(9) Stay Grounded, What is the climate impact of aviation? Read here.

(10) World Bank, 2013. Calculating the Carbon Footprint from Different Classes of Air Travel. Read here.

(11) The rebound effect in the aviation sector, Antony Evans, 2012. Read here.

Cover photo © Ratish Gandhu/Unsplash.