Over 55 years ago, scientists introduced the “greenhouse effect.” In November 1965, the Environmental Pollution Panel along with the President’s Science Advisory Committee issued a report called, “Restoring the Quality of Our Environment,” that pointed out how increasing temperatures in the atmosphere was occurring due to the buildup of carbon dioxide. The phrase “global warming” (i.e., climate change) was coined a decade later when the issue of a warming climate began to reach a larger audience.
Now, as the effects of climate change are felt by more than just the scientists, individuals around the world are urging corporations to step in. Workforces yearn for their employers to be environmentally, socially, and culturally thoughtful. In this article, we will explore the principle of sustainability and how the global mobility department can not only participate but take the lead in creating change within their corporation. Below we highlight both short- and long-term goals you can create for your global mobility program along with potential resources to help make these goals a reality.
One principle of sustainability surrounds the survival and well-being of our planet and all who inhabit it, which heavily relies on the state of the natural environment. We often hear how climate change is increasing the occurrence and intensity of natural disasters; however, what is not regularly discussed is the precise impact this is having on us economically. Without action, global warming imposes distinct business threats to companies, including, but not limited to:
To combat this, companies are beginning to create departments, committees, and positions to address the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) within their organization. And yet businesses are often reluctant to incorporate global mobility into ESG strategy, despite it having one of the highest carbon footprints (due to the nature of global mobility) of any HR function. As climate changes continue to worsen, mobilizing efforts to incorporate sustainable change into global mobility programs is not only necessary, but vital to the health and success of your organization, our society, and the planet. But what steps can we take to get there?
While it may seem unusual for the global mobility industry to be a leader in sustainability when the entire industry is designed around mobility and travel—strong contributors of greenhouse gases—there are actions that mobility programs can champion to incorporate sustainable choices into their programs.
Sustainable options for global mobility programs could include:
Business travel (domestic and international) is necessary and plays an important role in the world and within the global mobility space. By shifting our policies and practices, we can help to reduce the negative climate consequences of global travel and collectively work toward it being a force of good for all.
Start by taking a baseline measurement or collection of what your global mobility programs are already doing. You might be surprised at what ESG practices or initiatives you’ve already implemented. Understanding your baseline and current policies and practices will make it easier for your organization to set future goals.
Review your current travel arrangements and map out where you can create sustainable efficiencies. Take stock of the hotels in the areas your employees travel to the most and see which ones offer eco-friendly amenities and utilities. Review past travel records and make carbon offset contributions. Highlight upcoming travel and make adjustments where reasonably allowed such as changing hotel locations and switching layover air travel to non-stop flights.
Make tracking an important component of your efforts. As an example, our technology, Whereabouts™, helps clients identify the carbon footprint of their business traveler population and allows for measurement of the impact of policy changes on that footprint. If the policy changes with respect to how employees book travel (such as fewer flights, change in direct vs layovers, etc.), mobility teams are then able to highlight that impact to their company’s leadership teams.
Draft policies that incorporate sustainability measures. Create a global mobility policy that incorporates and clearly outlines the sustainable requirements of employees who are traveling for business. Include a list of sustainable hotels allowed, specific flight requirements such as choosing non-stop versus layover flights when feasible, and highlight the acceptable allowances for sustainable choices.
Download our guide: The Foundational Steps to Establishing a Mobility Tax Program
Ultimately, any short-term costs associated with making sustainable choices will mitigate the long-term effects of climate change. However, there are ways to help curb expenses to alleviate the short-term burden. Global mobility programs can reduce expenses by requiring the employee to travel economy rather than business or first class. In certain countries, travel by train may be more economical than by airplane. When meetings are expected to be short and not dependent on being physically present, a virtual meeting can be applied.
Here are some climate-focused resources* that may be helpful to consider in your ESG strategy and organization:
*We are not endorsing any one resource over another, but rather sharing these for your consideration. The responsibility to move forward with any of the organizations remains on the requesting company.
In the end, it is possible to incorporate sustainable practices into your global mobility program. By reviewing your program capabilities, policies, processes, and adding creative sustainable solutions, you can make sure your program is prepared to weather the changes that lie ahead. And don’t forget to invite the voices of your staff into the conversation. Everyone has a unique and valuable perspective on the issue of sustainability and climate change and can be beneficial partners to the conversation.
If you are looking for ways to partner with other businesses who are passionate about sustainability in the global mobility industry, reach out to us at sustainability@gtn.com so we can tackle the climate crisis together.
GTN’s Mobile Workforce Management solution helps clients track and manage the travel of their entire workforce, including global and domestic business travelers and remote workers. Through this tool, employers can monitor the carbon impact of their employee’s travel and analyze more energy-efficient modes of transportation. Schedule a call with our team to see how we can help.