Beneath the hype, sustainability is firmly embedded in corporate travel

Many reports and surveys look at sustainability in corporate travel. They track priorities, key actions and the myriad of challenges that our industry faces. However, most of these reports look at sustainability in isolation, as an ‘add on’ to the normal business of travel. While these reports are great for shining a spotlight on sustainability issues, they fail to consider the wider context of priorities and pressures a travel manager faces, and findings can often be hard to apply.??

I decided to delve into BCD Travel’s latest travel policy survey of 211 travel buyers to try and understand the reality of how and to what extent travel policies are integrating sustainability—and why it’s crucial to connect sustainability with other travel policy priorities.??

Dig into the numbers and we find an interesting story.??

1. ?While prioritisation of sustainability has slightly declined from its (perhaps artificial) high during the COVID era, it remains a significant focus. In fact, 55% of buyers say sustainability is extremely or very important. Other related topics, such as duty of care and traveller satisfaction and wellbeing continue to be top priorities, reflecting a broader commitment to responsible travel practices.??
2. It’s clear the importance of sustainability is growing in the industry, with 45% of travel policies already including sustainability and 49% incorporating traveller health and wellbeing. However, only 17% address DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion), highlighting the challenges of integrating these values into travel policies. In addition, 52% of policies include virtual meetings as a substitute for travel—a move that not only supports sustainability but also reflects a shift towards more flexible and inclusive work practices.?
3. In around a quarter (24%) of companies, the sustainability or ESG (environmental, social, and governance) department plays a role in updating the travel policy. As collaboration between travel and sustainability teams becomes more frequent, and the need to align with Scope 3 requirements for travel data intensifies, this involvement is likely to grow. The increasing focus on demonstrating action and progress in ESG initiatives will further strengthen this connection.??
4. In terms of taking action, 24% of travel buyers rank making their travel policy more sustainable as a top-three priority. We’re seeing more companies integrate sustainability-driven elements into their travel policies. For example, 16% mandate direct flights, and 55% encourage them. Similarly, 13% require rail over air where possible, with 43% encouraging this. Public transportation is also gaining traction, with 8% mandating its use and 57% promoting it.??
5. Importantly, six in ten buyers have reduced their travel budget in the last few years, with implications for sustainability. Of the 12 cost-saving measures considered in the survey, seven are directly impactful for reducing emissions. The top three are especially relevant: encouraging online meetings (80%), eliminating all non-essential travel (58%) and encouraging fewer but longer trips (34%). This shows a clear connection between sustainability and cost reduction, where responsible practices not only contribute to sustainability, but also help companies save money.??
6. Wherever a company is in terms of its attitude towards sustainable business travel, sustainability is set to remain a central focus. In fact, 64% of companies expect it to have the strongest impact on corporate travel in the upcoming years, underscoring its growing importance in shaping modern travel policies and practices.??

Corporate travel is undeniably complex, and sustainability is now firmly embedded in that complexity. However, focusing on sustainability alone misses the bigger picture. The future of successful travel programs lies in aligning cost, wellness and sustainability goals. Managed travel, and the expertise that companies like BCD provide, will be critical in shaping a sustainable future for business travel.?

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