Added responsibilities
As travel managers add ESG goals to their responsibilities, Sophie Fleming, Global Head of Trainline Business, shares some advice
As sustainability reporting obligations grow more complex, companies are rethinking how they manage business travel. What was once a straightforward operational function is now a central component of corporate ESG strategy.
New regulations such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are increasing scrutiny on how large organisations measure and disclose their emissions, including Scope 3 categories like business travel. While these rules primarily apply to bigger corporations, their influence is being felt across the business landscape. Smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing indirect pressure from customers, investors and supply-chain partners to demonstrate progress on sustainability.
For those responsible for managing business travel within SMEs, this brings new job responsibilities. They are now expected to monitor carbon emissions, compile reports and align travel decisions with sustainability goals. It represents a significant shift, one that many were not originally hired or trained to perform.
When responsibility creeps without support
According to the GBTA Foundation, over half of companies (54%) have now set targets to cut Scope 3 emissions, which include business travel, with others set to follow. This means those managing travel are increasingly tasked with meeting these goals, reflecting how sustainability is becoming central to their position.
While large multinationals often have dedicated sustainability professionals, those overseeing travel in SMEs may need to upskill to deliver in their expanded roles.
Empowering staff with load lightening technology
To meet these rising expectations, businesses must ensure employees aren’t left to navigate the process alone. This starts with simplifying how data is captured and shared, presenting an opportunity to showcase progress, not add paperwork.
With in-depth emissions insights, intuitive sustainability reporting becomes embedded in the booking experience itself. This allows those arranging travel to spend less time gathering data and more time helping their teams make responsible choices.
And as organisations increasingly prioritise lower carbon travel, rail is the clear winner over plane and car for domestic journeys. The London to Manchester route – a very popular journey among Trainline Business travellers – is a perfect example of this, with taking the train saving 20.4kg and 66.1kg of CO2 compared to driving and flying respectively.
Turning compliance into confidence
Hybrid working is continuing to reshape business travel, and every trip now carries greater intent and impact. Journeys are purposeful, taken to build relationships, unite teams and close deals. Indeed, research from LinkedIn earlier this year revealed that three in five (59%) employees would spend more with a supplier they’ve met face-to-face, while nearly three in four (73%) feel more confident signing off business contracts in person.
In this new landscape, it is vital that each journey delivers meaningful business outcomes, while minimising environmental impact. By combining travel and sustainability data, companies can measure – and maximise – the true value of every trip.
Those managing travel have an essential role to play. With the right tools, they can guide colleagues to make good decisions while ensuring the business stays compliant with evolving expectations. By simplifying travel management, adopting smarter reporting and making more sustainable choices, organisations can turn what once felt like an administrative burden into a shared achievement.
