Every year, hundreds of millions of people travel for work, so there’s a strong chance that you are—or one day may be—one of them. Unfortunately, business travel has the reputation for being not-so sustainable… But that doesn’t mean we can’t take steps to reduce our impact. When we plan ahead and make earth-conscious decisions, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint when we travel.
But how?
We’re walking you through the ins and outs of sustainable business travel so wherever your job takes you, you are more than prepared.
Consider where you’re going—should you be traveling by car, bus, train, or plane? It probably won’t surprise you that planes are considered the worst way to travel when it comes to sustainability; however, in rare cases, they may be more sustainable for a single traveler. That’s why it’s important to do the math.
If you choose to drive, you will also want to consider the route you take. Fuel efficiency can be affected by things like frequent inclines as well as acceleration and breaking. If possible, choose a route (or use a tool like Google Maps – now equipped with a variety of eco options) that avoids heavy traffic areas and excessive winding. The straighter the path, the more fuel efficient you will be.
You may have heard the term sustainable travel used before, but what is it really, and how does it relate to you on an individual level?
Traveling sustainably means you consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts your actions have on the people and places you’re visiting. On the surface, this may sound impossible to do. But, at its core, it means simply this: be considerate of your surroundings and the potential impact of your actions while you travel. To help you out, we’re further breaking this down into bite-sized, actionable steps you can take.
We’re living in 2023, and the truth is sometimes flying is the only (or most practical) option. So, what can you do to help minimize your climate impact as much as possible?
As mentioned above, the more items you pack, the heavier your luggage ways, and the more CO2 is produced as a result. Why? Because the more work something takes (e.g., carrying a heavy load), the more energy is needed. CO2 is created as a byproduct of this energy (fuel) usage. This is true regardless of your method of transportation; plane, train, or automobile.
Whether it’s your clothes or your toiletries, pack with multi-purpose in mind. Choose clothing items that can be mixed, matched, and reused in different ways. Select shoes that are going to be as universal as possible for the location you’re visiting. And what about shampoo, conditioner, and soap? We recommend going with bars—these are much more travel-friendly, create less plastic waste, and you can use them in multiple ways. (For example, conditioner is a great substitution for shaving cream.)
Oh, and don’t forget a reusable tote bag! Whether it’s grocery shopping or lugging around work supplies, these come in way handier than most people give them credit for—AND with the extra benefit of no single-use plastic bag waste! Plus, if you’re traveling by plane, you can absolutely use your tote as your one “personal item.”
And there you have it—a variety of tips you can take with you to stay climate-conscious while traveling for business.
Are there any we missed? Let us know! Reach out on social media (our accounts are listed in the footer below) and share your favorite business travel tips with the entire EarthShare community!
CONTENT QUESTIONS:
info@earthshare.org
PLATFORM QUESTIONS:
support@earthshare.org
Regenerative agriculture is the practice of enriching the land through farming and other agricultural practices; an effort that has been led by Indigenous Communities for thousands of years. Rather than stripping the ground of its nutrients, regenerative practices add to the health and strength of the soil and the overall ecosystem. In essence, it’s a decolonization of agriculture. 1“Regenerative Agriculture 101,” Natural Resources Defense Council ≫; “Native Growers Decolonize Regenerative Agriculture,” Green America ≫
Regenerative agriculture, as noted by One Earth, is “a pathway to an abundant and resilient future . . . shifting from the narrative of human dominion to one of healing our relationship with the Earth.” As a result, farms become more resistant to climate-related threats such as drought, flooding, and extreme shifts in temperature.2“Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems,” One Earth ≫
Sustainable agriculture is the final step toward achieving regenerative agriculture. This is accomplished, in part, through the introduction of practices to improve environmental health, reduce the use of freshwater and harmful pesticides, and improve carbon storage in the soil.