Over 2024, both international and inter-organizational policies have shifted corporate travel in relation to sustainability. Here’s how that will continue to occur, with sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025 furthering the positive progression we’ve seen over the last year.
Countries around the world have implemented policies surrounding sustainability, requiring businesses of certain sizes to report on their environmental footprints. It’s proved a challenge to business travel. Business travel at its base is hardly sustainable. However, this reality has led to change and a growing shift in how businesses approach their travel for the better.
No, we’re not giving up on business travel for good. Instead, we’re reshaping business travel for an eco-friendlier experience without sacrificing travel productivity or profitability. It’s expected these trends will continue into the future as sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025 evolve further.
Wondering what you can expect? Here are a few credible predictions.
Travel providers will continue to cater to the sustainably-minded Traveler
As more organizations adopt or adhere to sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025, travel providers will continue to cater to those organizations and their Travelers. More and more travel brands have begun touting their sustainability efforts not just to meet their own internal policies or external guidelines but also to attract more business.
As one example, accommodations providers—whether your teams prefer hotels, homestays or any option in between are increasingly making changes. On large scales, new-build properties are obtaining certifications that prove they’ve put sustainability at the focus from the ground up. On smaller scales, existing properties are making small switches that make a difference, whether that’s installing solar panels or swapping in LED lighting.
We’ve covered a bevy of such brands that are making strides in sustainability. You can find the sustainability-leading airlines, hotels and rental car providers that are right for your team.
Tech continues to make sustainable travel easier
More tech platforms are evolving to make sustainable travel easier than ever. This attracts Travel Managers and Travel Arrangers who need seamless booking methods that take sustainability into account.
Some booking platforms, for example, make it easy to view the environmental impact of a flight before you book it. Some business travel booking tools can even align with your internal travel policy. This can ensure that Travelers do not book travel that would fall outside of your sustainability policy. Others, like Thrust Carbon, automatically track your carbon emissions. On a more general basis, AI can help Travelers locate more sustainable travel options with just a brief query.
A November 2024 GBTA report found that nearly 70% of companies already have sustainability features in their corporate travel booking platforms. Meanwhile, 22% of companies are looking to upgrade or switch to platforms with better sustainability features. Desirable booking platform features include a trip carbon footprint calculator and more information provided on rail bookings, among others.
Travel buyers will continue to request more sustainability-related information
Sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025 will require that travel buyers, Travel Managers and Travel Arrangers ask more questions when speaking with suppliers, providers and vendors. They’ll have to get as much sustainability-related information possible before embarking on a new partnership.
It may currently be difficult for both those travel buyers and suppliers/vendors to navigate. As such, resources are coming online to help with this process. For example, last year, the Global Business Travel Association’s GBTA Foundation launched the industry’s first global sustainable procurement standards. The resource provides a standard set of questions that buyers can use to assess sustainability practices. Likewise, having these questions in hand, suppliers and vendors can be better aware of what information they need to provide to gain buyers’ business.
Employee engagement will be top of mind
Employees across the board have noted that they care about their organization’s sustainability efforts. However, a GTBA report found that only about a third of organizations have actually implemented initiatives to get employees engaged with internal sustainability efforts.
While putting travel policies in place that account for sustainability and ensure employees stay within carbon budgets when booking travel is a positive, getting employee buy-in is another thing altogether. Sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025 should place a greater emphasis on employee participation in such policies.
The pressure will be on to accelerate momentum
Yes, the travel industry has been making strides to increase its sustainability. However, many say that current efforts are not enough. As such, expect sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025 to further up the ante and require greater action.
In November, the Global Business Travel Association released its first Sustainability Acceleration Global Benchmark report. The report found that accelerated corporate action is necessary in order to reach net zero targets. The report noted that “while some action is being taken and planned, there is an urgent need to turn commitments into real impact.”
In a release detailing the report, Delphine Millot, senior vice president for advocacy and sustainability at GBTA, said, “While acknowledging serious efforts are underway to manage business travel emissions, our Global Benchmark shows the stark need for significant acceleration in climate action. The continued prosperity of the business travel industry is dependent on embedding sustainability in all we do. This is why we launched this initiative. Through these directional insights, we can better understand how organizations can manage their business travel programs more sustainably and take the steps needed to significantly reduce carbon emissions as we work towards net zero.”
Let JTB Business Travel help you reach your sustainability goals
Not really sure where you need to start with finetuning your sustainable corporate travel policies in 2025? Talk to the team at JTB Business Travel today. With our wealth of sustainability-related resources, we can assist in ensuring your travel becomes more sustainable, starting with your very first trip in 2025.
