In-person events will skyrocket corporate travel in 2023: here's how to address those emissions

As the world slowly returns to normalcy after the pandemic, many businesses are looking forward to resuming their pre-COVID operations, including in-person events and corporate travel. However, with the increased travel comes a corresponding increase in carbon emissions.

According to recent research, in-person events and conferences are projected to increase significantly in 2023. This trend is likely to result in a substantial increase in corporate travel, which could lead to an uptick in carbon emissions. To address this issue, businesses must prioritize sustainability and adopt measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

Here are some strategies that businesses can use to address emissions caused by increased corporate travel:

Use technology: Technology can be used to reduce the need for in-person meetings and conferences. Video conferencing, online collaboration tools, and virtual reality simulations can all be used to connect people across locations without the need for physical travel.

Encourage sustainable travel: Companies can encourage their employees to use sustainable modes of transportation such as trains, electric cars, or public transport when traveling for work. In addition, companies can incentivize their employees to reduce their carbon footprint by offsetting their travel emissions.

Consider hybrid events: A hybrid event is a combination of in-person and virtual elements. This type of event allows participants to attend in person or virtually, reducing the need for physical travel. Hybrid events can be cost-effective and also reduce carbon emissions.

Choose sustainable accommodations: When traveling, businesses can choose hotels or accommodations that have sustainability policies in place. These policies could include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow water systems, or eco-friendly toiletries.

Measure and report emissions: Companies can measure and report their emissions from corporate travel, which can help identify areas where emissions can be reduced. This information can also be used to set targets for emissions reduction and track progress toward meeting those targets.

For example, the CHOOOSE Climate App for SAP Concur automates travel-related carbon emission measuring and reporting and allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint or address unavoidable emissions by supporting verified, high-impact climate solutions, such as carbon removal, offsetting projects, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Travel emissions are automatically calculated based on the latest industry standards. Learn more about The Climate App here.

As in-person events and corporate travel are set to increase in 2023, businesses need to adopt measures to reduce their carbon footprint. By using technology, encouraging sustainable travel, considering hybrid events, choosing sustainable accommodations, and measuring and reporting emissions, companies can reduce their impact on the environment while still achieving their business goals. As we emerge from the pandemic, companies must prioritize sustainability and work towards a greener future.

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About CHOOOSE: CHOOOSE™ provides the leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform empowering businesses to integrate climate action into customer experiences. Enterprise partners in sectors like aviation, travel and logistics deploy CHOOOSE to build, manage and report on customer-centric climate programs that embed climate action wherever they interact with their consumer or corporate customers. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, CHOOOSE has enterprise partners and employees around the world. Learn more at www.chooose.today.