Bosses fail to lead on green travel

Business travellers' commitment to corporate social responsibility has remained resolute during the recession, but company bosses are setting a bad example to employees, according to a new report.

(Note to e-newsletter readers: The heading of this story should read 'Bosses fail to lead on green travel'.)

The annual KDS survey, produced in conjunction with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and unveiled today (February 9) at the Business Travel and Meetings Show in London, heralded news that corporations were sticking to environmental commitments amid huge cost cutting programmes.

More than half of the 300 business travellers and procurement bosses polled said their companies were sticking to green targets set before the downturn, but identified bosses as the worst polluters.

Some 45% of respondents griped about the travel choices of their superiors with the problem particularly acute in France and the United States.

Stanislas Berteloot, marketing director of KDS, said premium travel was still seen as a status symbol in France, with directors reticent to join their staff in budget seats and hotel rooms.

That said, bosses in the UK were identified as the most virtuous travellers, as more than half of respondents claimed commitment to CSR was driven from the top down.

Almost 70% of the respondents said travellers would take a more measured few of carbon emissions if they were given more information before booking, while 59% said they would like more guidance from their employers.

ACTE president Richard Crum said: "It is a great relief to see that CSR remains a strong priority for many corporations, and an equally strong concern for travellers who are making an effort to reduce their impact on the planet.

"It is understandable that the last year has seen corporate leadership focus on the financial health of their companies. However, it is important to recognise that truly sustainable businesses balance the demands of shareholders with the respect for the environment and the people and communities they impact everyday."