Green solutions enable travel managers to analyze the impact of business travel on our climate in a straightforward manner and to support climate protection.

Annette Kussmaul, Product Manager Central Payment at AirPlus responsible for developing and introducing “green” solutions

Social responsibility has become an increasingly pertinent issue in the corporate world. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), many companies take a strategic approach to activities in this field. They focus on climate protection, which calls into action their travel management. AirPlus’ “Green Reports” and “Carbon Offset” are two innovative solutions for thorough analyses and documentation of the impact of business travel on our climate and for elective compensation for carbon emissions. This benefits both the environment and, by providing a decisive competitive advantage, the companies.

Without noteworthy additional efforts, today companies can prepare detailed climate-balance statements, for example, with AirPlus’ innovative “AirPlus Green Reports” module, an extension to the Information Manager. Moreover, demand for climate-neutral travel can also be easily met by modern travel management. Compensation becomes possible with a company’s voluntary support of climate-protection projects, while climate-protection organizations are in charge of managing the details. Many climate-protection organizations have developed from scientific projects or institutions. Quite often, emission compensation goes beyond mere climate protection – it follows social, economic and ecologic objectives. One example: equipping canteen kitchens in India with solar energy reduces CO₂ emissions while simultaneously creating jobs.

Furthermore, companies themselves also benefit from climate-protection projects. With successful internal and external communication of their commitment, they boost their reputation. In addition, advancing into the field of climate-neutral travelling can be the stepping stone for other projects that also positively affect a company’s corporate image. These efforts to promote climate protection are generally documented in the company’s annual and sustainability reports.

More and more companies are committing themselves to concrete targets when it comes to reducing their carbon emissions. For travel management, the focus is on the conscious decision to use the most environmentally friendly way to travel. Some important facts:

• With many service providers, business travel makes up the largest share of CO₂ emissions.
• Companies can also benefit financially from optimized travel and travel policies.
• Merely cutting travel budgets is likely to have a negative impact on travel convenience and staff satisfaction.
• Climate-protection projects are a good opportunity to involve the travelers and to foster staff commitment to climate protection by building awareness.