Corporate travel is a vital part of business growth, fostering connections and opportunities worldwide. But let’s be honest—while travelling can be exciting, it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to sustainability.
With growing corporate travel responsibility and increasing pressure to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, sustainability in travel in no longer optional but a necessity. Regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and international commitments such as the Paris Agreement are accelerating the need for businesses to act. Organisations that prioritise sustainable travel not only reduce their carbon footprint but also gain competitive advantages in efficiency, compliance, and reputation.
The good news? Companies like Atriis make greener choices easier without compromising efficiency or cost. Let’s explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of corporate travel and how technology is shaping a more sustainable future.
The good: Progress in sustainable travel
Corporate travel is evolving with technology, policy changes, and a growing awareness of sustainability driving positive change. Companies now have access to a range of tools and strategies that make sustainable travel easier than ever before:
- Data-driven decision-making: Platforms like Atriis provide transparent carbon footprint metrics for flights and rail journeys, helping businesses and travellers make informed choices hat align with sustainability goals.
- Encouraging lower-carbon travel: Rail and other lower-emission transport options are prioritised in search results, making them clear, practical alternatives to air travel.
- Verified sustainable accommodations: Hotels with recognised sustainability certifications are highlighted, simplifying the process of choosing responsible lodging options.
- Seamless ESG alignment: Sustainability filters help businesses embed their ESG policies into travel decisions, encouraging compliance without adding complexity.
These innovations empower businesses to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and cost control. Beyond compliance, sustainable travel enhances brand reputation and appeals to environmentally conscious clients and employees.
The bad: Sustainability vs. Convenience
Despite advancements, sustainable travel still faces hurdles. Many corporate travellers encounter challenges that make prioritising sustainability difficult:
- Perceived inconvenience: Choosing greener options can require extra effort, such as navigating complex booking processes or adjusting itineraries—deterring busy professionals who prioritise efficiency.
- Higher costs: Some eco-friendly alternatives, like electric rental cards or eco-certified hotels, often come at a premium, complicating cost-conscious decision-making.
- Unclear impact: Many travellers struggle to see how their choices contribute to broader ESG goals, leading to uncertainty and disengagement.
Atriis addresses these challenges by integrating sustainability into the booking process, making eco-friendly options easy to find and compare. Additionally, partnerships with organisations like SQUAKE help businesses measure, report on, and compensate for their travel emissions, improving transparency and employee engagement.
The ugly: Lack of awareness and industry resistance
While sustainability is gaining traction, challenges remain within the corporate travel industry:
- Slow industry adoption: Many traditional travel management systems prioritise cost over sustainability, limiting access to lower-carbon Legacy platforms often fail to integrate the latest ESG data, making it difficult for companies to track and reduce their emissions effectively.
- Limited sustainable suppliers: Despite increasing demand, eco-certified airlines, hotels, and transport providers remain scarce in some regions. Travellers looking for sustainable options may find themselves with limited choices, particularly in areas where regulatory standards are still evolving.
- Regulatory complexities: Compliance with sustainability regulations varies by country, adding another layer of difficulty for global travellers. Businesses must navigate a patchwork of policies, which can make it challenging to implement consistent and effective ESG strategies.
However, change is happening. Companies prioritising sustainability not only comply with regulations but gain a competitive edge by aligning with modern travellers’ expectations. Collaboration among corporate travel providers, suppliers, and regulators is key to building a more sustainable travel ecosystem
Driving sustainable outcomes with Atriis
At Atriis, we believe sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. That’s why our platform empowers travellers with tools that make responsible choices easier, more accessible, and more cost-effective.
Our platform makes it easier for travellers to make sustainable choices without compromising efficiency or convenience.
With Atriis you can:
- Minimise your travel footprint effortlessly by selecting sustainable travel options that are highlighted in your search resutls.
- Make informed decisions on the go with real-time carbon impact data for flights and rail, helping you choose the most responsible travel choices.
- Easily integrate sustainability into your trips with smart filters that prioritise lower-emission options.
- Book with confidence knowing that your accommodations meet recognised environmental standards, making responsible travel simple.
Corporate travel doesn’t have to be a trade-off between business goals and environmental responsibility. With the right tools, businesses and travellers alike can navigate the good, mitigate the bad, and overcome the ugly of corporate travel—all while making meaningful progress toward sustainability.
By embedding sustainability into every step of the booking process, Atriis empowers you to make travel decisions that reduce your environmental impact – without extra hassle.
