strong>An interview with Luisa Barnes, TakeTwo Travel Solutions in London.
Luisa Barnes has a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development with a focus on sustainable transport and the potential for sustainable aviation. She joined TakeTwo in the summer of 2022.
Let’s face it, travelling sustainably on business is challenging, so it’s unlikely we’ll see any meaningful progress over the next few years unless a group of people with a collective vision for what our future should look like, takes the lead. I believe that responsibility lies with TMCs.
TMCs are in a unique position to lobby for change, but to do so they need to throw away their existing business travel mindsets and take a fresh look at what can and should be done.
Nothing succeeds like a crisis
Many thought the pandemic would accelerate the sustainability debate. The skies were empty and there was no unnecessary travel going on. Employees had time to question why they previously had spent their lives racing around the globe and challenged the need to do so again.
Employers were given a golden opportunity to re-think their travel policies. To start with a blank piece of paper and finally take a more sustainable approach to business travel.
All good so far, except that hasn’t happened, yet…
Gen Z mindset
As a business travel newbie, I’m still figuring out different stakeholders’ mindsets, but it’s becoming clear to me that the sector in general is quite negative towards sustainability. My generation, and the next will experience first-hand the consequences of inaction now, which is why Gen Z is determined to implement change.
Unfortunately, business travel isn’t my generation’s first choice to pursue a career in sustainability. However, I am passionate about and interested in sustainable aviation and electric aircraft, so I can combine a Gen Z mindset with a growing understanding of business travel and a determination to help bring about positive change. I believe that’s a good template for this industry to adopt.
This isn’t just about Gen Z. Even amongst older travellers there is a desire to curb flying habits. 74% of travellers want to see flying reduction targets in travel policies geared towards climate change. 62% say they have already set their own personal targets.[1]
TMC responsibilities
What should the business travel industry be doing, and what is it willing to do? Frustratingly, the answers to both questions are different and too often depend on the client. I believe TMCs have to champion the business case for sustainability instead of hiding behind the excuse of fulfilling clients’ needs.
Good practice may not be governed entirely by TMCs, but they should be more proactive. For example, offering rail as a more sustainable mode of transport, and working only with suppliers that have proven sustainability credentials. They should also be promoting virtual or a blended (hybrid) approach of virtual and face-to-face meetings.
TMCs need to prove they’re sustainable themselves, by admitting, tracking, and reporting the negative impacts of business travel, and their own emissions. After all, if TMCs don’t show they’re truly dedicated to positive changes, it’s hard to see how they can effectively provide solutions to support their clients’ objectives.
Naturally, many TMCs will say they already practice everything I’ve listed, and more besides. It might even be true, but are they doing enough? For example, they could question their existing transaction-focussed business models.
As long as TMCs income comes mainly from transactions there is no incentive for them to stop people travelling. There has to be a better balance between this and delivering against clients’ EDI objectives.
Education and insight
TMCs should be educating their clients on the importance of sustainable travel as well as offering attractive alternatives. A client may not be receptive to a sustainable travel programme, but TMCs can challenge the existing norms of air travel as a default option, and unsustainable behaviours. After that, if the client is still unwilling to change, it’s up to politicians to mandate and regulate.
In the meantime, equal responsibility lies with the corporate. As things stand, I cannot picture, a senior director willing to fly economy, despite first class and business seats on a plane causing four times the emissions due to the extra weight in the space that they take up on the plane.
If TMCs can better educate their clients, then providing more sustainable options will be easier and adoption more widespread.
[1] BTN Europe
