If your home country doesn’t seem to be making progress toward net zero goals in business travel, you may think the industry as a whole isn’t progressing toward a greener, more sustainable future. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Discussions around “net zero” sustainability refer to the goal of reaching a point at which humans produce such a small amount of residual carbon emissions that those emissions can be sustainably stored within nature.
Where are we at with net zero goals today?
Amid frequent talks about global warming’s impact, many countries have adopted net-zero policies, with 107 countries doing so as of June 2024, according to the United Nations. However, even with these efforts, the United Nations admits that Earth is not currently on track to reach a net zero goal by 2050.
It’s long been known that business travel has a large carbon footprint, with aviation accounting for 2–3% of global emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. As such, it’s more important than ever that we reach net zero goals in business travel. So, how are certain countries doing their part?
Here are just a few optimistic ways various world leaders are aiming for net zero goals in business travel.
1. Germany and France are replacing short flights with high-speed rail systems.
One solution that several European countries are pushing for, as a way of achieving net zero goals in business travel, is replacing short flights with high-speed rail travel.
In 2022, a study looked at air-rail swaps and their potential and found that, when examining nearly 100 air travel routes in Germany, emission reductions could be as high as 22% by making these swaps. (Though the study also said that, for some, the carbon savings do not offset travel time losses.)
In the real world, some have criticized these mandated swaps, like those in France, calling them performative. However, on an optimistic note, such swaps are indicative of more to come. In other words, while the impact of these swaps might not be significant yet, they are a step in the right direction of achieving net zero goals in business travel.
2. Airlines in Italy and the Netherlands are partnering with rail systems.
Along these same lines, airlines are taking it upon themselves to partner with rail systems to incentivize Travelers to use rail travel where suitable. As reported by CNN, this is the case for Dutch carrier KLM in the Netherlands and ITA Airways in Italy.
3. The United States invests in sustainable fuel.
Sustainable jet fuel can help lower aviation’s carbon footprint, allowing for air travel to continue without the need to switch to rail travel across the board.
In the United States, last year, the Biden administration announced new tax credits for producers of corn and soy-based jet fuel who use climate-smart production processes (via Trellis). The administration wants 10% of the U.S. aviation industry to run on sustainable fuel by 2030 and 100% of the U.S. aviation industry to run on sustainable fuel by 2050.
On a smaller level, certain U.S. states are offering similar tax credits to sustainable aviation fuel producers and purchasers.
4. Costa Rica takes on public transit.
Costa Rica has developed a National Decarbonization Plan that helps business Travelers get around more sustainably via ground transit. According to the World Resources Institute, the plan, which was originally created in 2019, includes the adoption of electric buses to reduce transportation emissions.
5. Scandinavian countries stand apart.
Similarly, while not directly related to net zero goals in business travel, the World Resources Institute also reports that Denmark has made strides toward a sustainable power sector transformation. Between 1990 and 2020, the country’s share of renewable power generation has increased by 77%, from 3% to 80%. Due to large investments in solar and wind power generation, the country’s carbon dioxide emissions within the power sector have declined by nearly 80%.
As Climate Trade reports, Denmark is hardly out of place within Scandinavia, with Sweden and Norway similarly showing strides that could make these countries ideal for your company’s business travel, whether you’re trying to expand into more sustainable regions or looking for your next MICE host.
Sweden, for example, hopes to cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60% by 2030 (compared to 2005) and to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. Sweden was also the first country to introduce carbon pricing. Norway, meanwhile, wants to halve its emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).
Sweden, though, stands apart in other ways as well. According to Euromonitor International’s Sustainable Travel Index, for several years in a row, Sweden has ranked as the most sustainable travel destination in the world. This is thanks to efforts such as switching all public transit to 100% renewable energy and putting strict requirements in place for hotels and accommodations.
6. A handful of countries have already achieved net zero.
A handful of countries, though, have already achieved net zero emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. While these countries may not be front of mind when thinking of business travel destinations, they may offer valuable lessons for others chasing net zero goals in business travel. Referred to as “carbon sinks,” meaning that they absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year than they emit, the world’s eight current net-zero destinations include Bhutan, Comoros, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Niue, Panama and Suriname.
Is your organization aiming to achieve certain net zero goals in business travel?
Net zero travel goals shouldn’t just be a concern for individual countries and their policymakers. On a smaller level, organizations and corporations can do their part to achieve net zero goals as well by paying attention to their business travel practices.
Need help getting started? Check out JTB Business Travel’s guide to sustainability in business travel for SMEs.
