Business travel emissions refer to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated when employees travel for work purposes, whether by plane, boat, train, car, or other means of transportation, and includes emissions generated from hotel stays during travel. These activities fall under Scope 3 emissions of the GHG Protocol, as they are indirect emissions resulting from business activities but occur outside the organisation’s direct operational control.
Business travel emissions do not include the emissions generated by employees commuting to and from work. This commuting falls under a separate category: employee commuting. Business travel emissions specifically refer to work-related trips taken by employees, such as flights, train journeys, or car rentals for meetings, conferences, or site visits.
When it comes to business travel, different modes of transport generate varying levels of emissions. Air travel, in particular, can produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, especially on long-haul flights. But even within air travel, the choice of flight class can make a substantial difference in emissions.
According to DEFRA’s GHG conversion factors, a passenger in an economy class flight is responsible for between 0.13kg of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (kgCO2e) and 0.2 kgCO2e per kilometre travelled, depending on the length of the flight and country of origin. For business class, the range is between 0.27kg and 0.58kg, and for first class its between 0.54kg and 0.8kg.
This means that for a one-way flight between London and New York, for example, one passenger in economy class would be responsible for 1.12 tCO2e emissions. If in business class, they would be responsible for 3.24 tCO2e, and in first class, 4.47 tCO2e!
Measuring business travel emissions is crucial for organisations looking to manage their carbon footprint. Understanding the environmental impact of travel allows companies to identify high-emission travel patterns and explore alternatives.
Firstly, measuring travel emissions encourages organisations to make more sustainable choices. For example, choosing economy class for flights or shifting to virtual meetings where possible can drastically reduce the emissions associated with business travel. For shorter trips, opting for train travel, which produces fewer emissions than air travel, can also help.
Secondly, tracking emissions helps businesses evaluate the necessity of each trip. By comparing the environmental cost of travel against its business value, organisations can make more informed decisions about when and how employees should travel.
Lastly, managing business travel emissions can improve a company’s reputation for sustainability. Many businesses are now setting travel policies that limit high-emission travel options or encourage the use of lower-carbon alternatives. This not only reduces emissions but also demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility and appeals to clients and stakeholders who value sustainability.
FutureTracker provides comprehensive support for organisations in every aspect of measuring and managing their emissions, including business travel emissions. Our emissions calculator and guidance library simplifies the process, making it easy for your organisation to identify sources of emissions, quantify their impact, and develop targeted strategies to reduce them effectively.
If you’d like to learn more about FutureTracker, get in touch with us at enquiries@futuretracker.com or learn more about our plans and pricing here.
