Climate change is real. Even in companies, people are paying more and more attention to protecting the environment through their own behavior. For business trips, driving by car is no longer the only alternative. In this article we explain how to travel in a climate-friendly way. 

The topic of "sustainability" has arrived in companies

In recent years, climate change has become a clearly visible and tangible problem, even though it has been going on for decades. Companies increasingly see it as their duty to change their behavior in favor of the environment. Business trips are an important element in this. After all, in some companies these take place almost daily. Field staff often spend hours on the road and meetings in distant cities at other companies and agencies require long journeys. It is clear that these trips do not always have to be made by car or even by plane. But what are the alternatives? 

5 hacks for climate-friendly business trips

Tip 1 - Question whether the trip is even necessary

If there's one thing we've learned during the Corona pandemic, it's that meetings don't always have to take place on-site. Professional and efficient conversations between business partners, employees, or customers and service providers can just as easily be held via common video call tools. In many cases, these are even free of charge and save money and resources on other levels besides travel expenses:  

• Costs for accommodation are eliminated 
• Catering costs are also not incurred 
• No lost time due to long journeys to and from meetings 

A meeting via Skype and co therefore costs much less money and, of course, less time. This leaves more energy for actual work and working parents in particular will be grateful if they can do without business trips. 

Tip 2 - Reduce the number of travellers when travelling abroad

Especially for internationally active companies, trips abroad are often unavoidable. Particularly when it comes to distances of several thousand kilometers, neither travelling by train nor by car is a real option. But if it absolutely must be by plane, you should discuss with your team and the customers or business partners who really has to make the trip and how many employees from your company are needed for the meeting. 

Tip 3 - Use bus and train

In addition to the rail network, a wide range of international bus lines have been established throughout Europe in recent years. Of course, the journey time is longer than by car due to the intermediate stop, but you can not only prepare for the meeting during the journey, there is also enough time to rest and take a nap. 

The train has the additional advantage that it bypasses the usual traffic jams in conurbations and large cities during rush hour. However, you should only use this travel alternative if you have little luggage with you and can also calculate with slight delays if necessary. 

Tip 4 - Pay attention to sustainability when choosing a hotel 

Environmentally friendly travel does not end when you reach your destination. There are also a number of measures that can be implemented on site to benefit nature.  

When choosing a hotel, for example, make sure that sustainable products (regional, organic, etc.) are offered for breakfast. Many accommodations in large cities also lend out e-scooters and bicycles free of charge or for a small surcharge, or issue discounted tickets for public transportation.  

Tip 5- Think about investing in an e-car 

Especially in companies where regular and frequent business trips with several participating employees take place, it is worthwhile to use the car instead of public transport. The network of e-charging stations is now so well developed and the range of the cars so great that the investment in an electric vehicle can be well worthwhile.  
According to the Federal Environment Agency in Germany, an electric car emits 42 percent less CO2 than a conventional petrol or diesel engine. 

As you can see, environmental protection is no longer an exclusion criterion for business trips. With a little planning and openness, companies can not only save CO2, but also money and time.