Trainline Partner Solutions reveals sustainable business travel as talent priority

The data found 91% said sustainability is a priority for them when booking business travel

Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS) reveals a survey of UK business travellers and their priorities, points to lower-carbon travel being cross-generational and not just confined to Gen Z. 

The data highlighted the importance of factoring sustainability into business travel policies, with over half (53%) of respondents stating they’d prioritise a firm that supported low-carbon travel over a competitor that did not. 

Liz Emmott, director of global distribution of Trainline Partner Solutions, said: “Our data demonstrates the desire for lower carbon travel is a cross-generational trend and business travellers of all ages identify sustainability as a priority - this is not just confined to Gen Z.

It found that almost half (44%) also fear failing to offer lower carbon travel options will negatively impact their current company’s ability to hire and retain staff in a competitive talent market.

This follows on from 91% of respondents now consider sustainability as a priority when booking travel.

This priority has grown since the pandemic with almost three quarters (72%) of respondents indicating their interest in finding lower carbon ways to travel has grown compared to pre-pandemic. 

The data also found that just over half (51%) said their company currently either doesn’t have a specific policy to support lower carbon modes of travel or support is limited to non-existent. 

Emmett said: “Unfortunately, the data also shows many UK businesses still lag behind the curve in promoting and providing the low-carbon travel that their employees crave.

As we enter a new era for ESG reporting, the time for action is now: through technology we can support businesses to implement simple and seamless greener travel programmes.”

Findings also included as many as 62% said they have taken short-haul flights or car journeys for work when they would have preferred lower carbon alternatives such as rail.

Anticipation of a negative reaction from management, either due to cost (26%) or longer journey duration (24%) was highlighted as the most common obstacle that would stop those surveyed from requesting lower carbon transport modes.

The survey found that over half believe employers should encourage lower carbon travel where possible, with 45% of respondents also supportive of companies allowing extra time to travel using greener methods.

Respondents indicated this is a priority even over journey length, with seven out of ten respondents willing to travel by train even if it took significantly longer than by plane. 

Over half of surveyed business travellers (53%) ultimately believe stronger support for more sustainable business travel would reflect well on the business.