Sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for international mobility

International mobility is a cornerstone of our globalized world. However, given the current context of global warming and heightened environmental awareness, there is an urgent need to rethink the way we travel. In recent years, a growing number of organizations have begun to implement green initiatives, giving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues a prominent place in their strategies.

It is due to this context that the environmental aspect of ESG emerged, resulting in tangible measures to reduce the carbon footprint of business activities and travel. 

So what solutions exist for sustainable international mobility, and how can we make expatriation eco-friendly?

How to reconcile international mobility and the ecological transition

Intentions remain tentative

Despite a general trend towards greener practices, international mobility is often overlooked in the development of sustainable policies. According to Santa Fe Relocation’s “Reshaping Global Mobility” study, only 35% of companies are fully committed to incorporating ESG principles related to international mobility. A further third are considering doing so, while 27% appear not to be the least bit concerned by the issue. It is clear that international mobility is not seen as crucial to the ecological transition.

Another AIRINC study, “Sustainability & Global Mobility”, supports these findings. In their research, they found that, when it comes to international mobility, environmental sustainability is not a goal shared among all companies. In fact, only 29% of teams are forward-thinking and intend to invest in substantial changes; the other 71% are still assessing their options or are not even considering overhauling their policies, processes, or supply chain practices. These findings highlight a glaring lack of commitment to and awareness of the urgent need to develop greener international mobility programmes.

Acting fast

Given the urgency of the situation, as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) “Special Report on Climate Change and Land”, it is now essential to raise awareness among stakeholders in international mobility. Studies such as the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) “Sustainability in Travel: Understanding & Managing Your Carbon Footprint” and the Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) “Carbon reduction plan” shed light on these issues and highlight the need for immediate action.

It is important to promote and encourage ‘greener’ environmentally responsible international mobility initiatives. These would aim to reduce the environmental impact of international business travel. This could include the use of sustainable means of transport, the introduction of carbon offsetting policies, and the consideration of environmental criteria when making decisions related to international mobility.

Overhauling international mobility programmes through tangible measures

Opting for green mobility

The “Reshaping Global Mobility” study gives us a fascinating insight into how companies are evolving when it comes to international mobility. They are increasingly opting to reduce certain kinds of mobility with a high carbon footprint. Commutes and short business trips are the primary focus of these new trends.

A number of innovative practices are emerging as part of this drive to reduce carbon footprints. For example, there is the possibility of cutting down on ‘orientation trips’—the initial trip that allows expatriates to familiarize themselves with their destination country. Instead, why not opt for virtual tours or discussions with locals via digital platforms?

Similarly, instead of shipping household belongings abroad—often a carbon-costly process—renting furnished accommodation in the country of destination is becoming increasingly popular.

The study looks at four main areas where companies can reduce their carbon footprint:

• Business travel: focusing on digital solutions for meetings and minimizing non-essential travel.
• Transport of household belongings: opting for furnished rentals at destination, or using cleaner, greener modes of transport, with an increased emphasis on sustainable mobility or soft mobility.
• Housing and utilities: choosing environmentally friendly, well-insulated accommodation that uses renewable energy.
• The supply chain: working with suppliers committed to sustainable development.

This view is supported by the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) study “Sustainability in Travel: Understanding & Managing Your Carbon Footprint”, which highlights the need to understand and manage the carbon footprint of business travel.

Similarly, the Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) study, “Creating a Sustainable Future for Business Travel”, invites us to consider a sustainable approach to the future of business travel by encouraging the development of innovative solutions.

We should also mention the Courrier International article, “Une expatriation éco-responsable, c’est possible”, which urges expatriates to adopt eco-friendly practices such as recycling, reducing household waste, and sustainable living, while also encouraging them to promote environmental awareness in their new communities.

In order to make progress towards environmentally responsible international mobility, it is essential that practical steps be taken in all these areas. This means not only changing our individual behaviour, but also comprehensively rethinking the systems and policies that govern mobility. Businesses, governments, and international organizations all have an important role to play in this transition towards soft, sustainable mobility.

How can we ensure that expatriation programmes are environmentally responsible?

It is worth pointing out that employees themselves show little, if any, interest in the environmental initiatives undertaken by human resources or mobility departments. This highlights the urgent need for more effective communication and awareness-raising among expatriates, who are the ones directly affected by relocation programmes.

The environmental impact of international mobility is an issue that is often pushed into the background, despite the fact that it requires far greater attention. AIRINC’s revealing report shows that 73% of respondents said they never or rarely get questions from expatriates regarding sustainability. Reversing this trend is therefore essential.
The environment must become a fundamental and indispensable consideration in mobility policies if truly environmentally responsible expatriation practices are to be developed.
This process must be carried out without compromising expatriates’ comfort or increasing costs. Taking all of this into account will allow international mobility to form part of an environmentally friendly approach that promotes a greener, more sustainable future for all.

Informing and educating to promote environmentally friendly international mobility

Communication needs to be stepped up in order to respond more effectively to expatriates’ relocation requirements. For example, the use of tools such as carbon footprint calculators can be extremely useful in highlighting environmentally friendly solutions such as groupage, which, while leading to longer delivery times, significantly reduces carbon emissions. According to a study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), groupage can reduce carbon emissions by 30–40%. This is achieved by optimizing the use of vehicle load space, which reduces the total number of trips required.

Another major initiative would be to present comparisons between air and sea shipping options. It is essential to communicate key data to make expatriates aware of the differences in environmental impact. For example, according to the International Group for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases in Transport (GLEC), transporting one tonne of goods one kilometre emits only 3 grams of CO2 by boat, 47 grams of CO2 by truck, 18 grams by train, and only 3 grams by boat, whereas a plane emits 560 grams. With this kind of knowledge, expatriates can make informed decisions that take into account the carbon footprint of their actions.

Providing expatriates with accurate and reliable information on the different options available, particularly environmentally friendly modes of transport, will allow them to make more responsible decisions. By supplying qualified data, HR managers can empower expatriates to actively contribute to reducing their environmental footprint.

Increased tracking possibilities for HR and international mobility departments

Human resources departments can play a vital role in promoting sustainable mobility. By tracking carbon emissions data associated with the shipment of household belongings or furnished rentals, more reliable comparisons can be made to assist decision-making in favour of greener solutions. For example, providing reports on the options chosen (sea transport versus air transport) could influence future decision-making.

In addition, the “GHG Inventory for International Moving” study by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the importance of having accurate data to assess the carbon footprint of international mobility activities. This data enables companies to make informed decisions and implement more sustainable practices.

Making the right environmental choices

Soft mobility and sustainable mobility involve making environmentally responsible choices. There are several ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions:

• Minimizing the transport of household belongings helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint but raises questions about the durability and recycling in the short term of items acquired in the country of destination.
• Furnished rentals are an eco-friendly alternative, although feasibility can vary from region to region. Living in an off-the-shelf home can also affect employee wellbeing.
• Employee wellbeing must be taken into account when reducing business travel and switching to virtual assignments.

Reducing business travel requires a balanced approach. A BCG study, “The strategic race to sustainability”, highlights the importance of considering talent requirements, preferred destinations for relocation, available infrastructure, as well as costs, wellbeing, and carbon footprint to ensure viable progress.

A balanced approach is therefore essential to making green decisions that are effective in the long term. 

Expatriation and environmentalism can work together as long as the right decisions are made to suit each situation.