Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Global Emissions

In 2020, both the US and EU saw declining carbon emissions, according to The Conversation. The US saw 12%, the EU at 11% and India saw a drop of 9%. Even though global emissions were already on the decline prior to COVID, they are now steadily rising again as lockdowns end and the world reopens. So, while we haven’t seen major permanent drops, it just goes to show, human impact matters.

Why Your Impact Matters

When it comes to sustainability and your business travel, measuring your impact is the greatest tool you have available. After all, that is how you’ll really be able to understand where you can make changes. When you understand your company’s impact and take steps to making your business travel more sustainable, people notice. Here’s just a couple of reasons to think about sustainability in your business travel:

• Finding and keeping your team - Around 40% of millennials would take a pay cut to work at a more sustainable company according to a survey taken in 2019.
• It’s what people want - In a survey done by NielsenIQ, 66% of those asked globally would pay more for sustainable product; 50% of them are influenced by key sustainability factors. Of millennials, 90% are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly or sustainable products (Nielsen survey).
• Progressive = positive - As travellers' needs adjust, travel policies need to consider adjusting with them. With a focus on wellbeing, travellers perhaps want more time in destination to really make it count. Building sustainability practices into your policies solidifies your commitment to doing good, for the environment, and your people.

Of course, sustainability will mean different things across different industries. Some industries might require frequent international airline travel, while a non-profit organization may have more options for regional travel accessible by rail.

It was noted in the GBTA State of Sustainability 2022 Report that 96% of external stakeholders (policy makers, NGOs, and think tanks) think the way forward is through mandating and prioritizing travel routes with the lowest CO₂ footprint, while 72% believe impact is made through carbon offsetting. We encourage you to find your way forward, in whatever ways you can. The important thing is that all businesses know how to measure their impact and are prepared to take the necessary steps to lessen it.

UN Sustainable Development Goals and You

Not all sustainability goals are travel related. There are so many ways to include your team in making the world as a whole more sustainable. In 2015, all United Nations Member States pledged to take action across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and according to the GBTA State of Sustainability 2022 Report, three of those goals are where business travel and the travel industry can have the greatest impact. Those include Goal 13 – climate action, Goal 12 – responsible consumption and production, and Goal 7 – affordable and clean energy.

Where do those goals come in for you and your company? Which are you most aligned within your existing sustainability policies, and which could use a bit more work? Seeing a list of the 17 goals is a lot to take in, but if you break it down further into 3 categories, you can easily pinpoint the areas you’d like to focus:

• Environmental – Clean water and sanitation; Affordable and clean energy; Responsible consumption and production; Climate action; Life below water; Life on land.
• Social – No poverty; Zero hunger; Good health and well-being; Quality education; Gender equality; Decent work and economic growth.
• Governance – Industry, innovation, and infrastructure; Reduced inequalities; Sustainable cities and communities; Peace, justice, and strong institutions; Partnerships for the goals.

Seems like a tall order, right? Sure, but it’s one that requires action and commitment from people across all sectors – world leaders, industry leaders, the private sector, and individuals as a whole. We believe we can get there, together.