ESG Metric: GHG Scope 3 emissions
Ease of implementation: Hard
Suitable for: Companies with international travel
Suggested functional lead: HR, Finance department, Logistics manager
Summary
Business travel is responsible for over 2% of global CO2 emissions, accounting for 15% of global air travel and responsible for up to 50% of business emissions. Eliminating business class in your in-work travel will decrease your scope 3 emissions whilst not fully eliminating flying as a mode of transportation. We suggest eliminating business class travel, specifically for flights under five hours. Ensure you have up to date statistics on the number of business class flights within a given year to act as your baseline. Compare the new yearly flight emissions with the baseline year and share emissions reductions internally and externally.
Background Information
Since 2013, airline emissions have increased by 32%, which is 70% faster than projected by the UN. Business Class approximately emits twice as much per passenger kilometre as Economy Class passengers. Even airlines themselves, such as Wizz air, have banned business travel for flights under five hours to reduce unnecessary emissions. This has made Wizz air Europe's greenest airline. The airline emits 57.2 grams per passenger CO2, which is 32.8 grams less than the average aircraft. Additionally, flying Economy rather than Business Class can save thousands of pounds as business class can be tenfold the price.
Implementation Steps
Measure current business class travel emissions
Collaborate with HR to collect and analyse data on the number of business class flights taken in a given year. We suggest using 2019 as a baseline year to eliminate any decrease in flying habits due to the pandemic.
Reduce new business class bookings in Corporate Travel Policy
Set a new Corporate Travel Policy in place to eliminate travelling business class for future flights. If this cannot be eliminated fully, ensure the policy at least applies to any short-haul flights under five hours.
Measure and monitor
Ensure you keep monitoring business travel and flight bookings. Hold departments accountable if they are not abiding by the new policy and investigate why. Measure the difference between non-business class travel emissions and baseline 2019 emissions. Share the reduction both with the team and in an external report, if possible, to share best practices with other organisations.