Fewer firms have decarbonisation plan compared with 2021, DfT survey finds

Two-thirds of DfT Business Travel Survey respondents (65%) reported their business has plans to decarbonise – 34% ‘definitely’ and 31% ‘thought so’.

The proportion with decarbonisation plans rose to 80% at large businesses (45% ‘definitely’) and 76% at medium-size businesses (35% ‘definitely’) but was down to 50% at small businesses (25% ‘definitely’).

However, the overall figure was down from 72% in 2021, reflecting a drop of seven percentage points in those believing their business had such plans, while the proportion reporting no plan to reduce their carbon footprint doubled from 4% in 2021 to 8% this year and hit 40% at small businesses.

Of those with plans, one in six (16%) expected a reduction in air travel and two out of five
(42%) reported plans to use videoconferencing to reduce business trips, up from 40% in 2021.

There was a six-percentage-point rise to 27% in respondents reporting adoption of ‘sustainable’
travel providers. But the proportion incentivising ride-sharing halved from 27% to 14%.

Meanwhile, half the respondents in the survey (48%) reported remote-working had reduced the amount of corporate travel, although only a third (33%) at small businesses did so.

A majority of respondents still considered in-person meetings important, especially at conferences (74%) and site visits (72%).

However, two in five (41%) considered training, research, education and general business meetings could be conducted remotely.

When asked the most important factors affecting future travel for work, 46% identified cost, 33% the availability of direct flights, 30% flexible travel options, 27% airport location and 27% the time taken to travel.

Respondents at large businesses were most likely to look for direct flights (39%) and flexibility (39%).

More than half (57%) agreed UK airport expansion would benefit their business, with 22% agreeing ‘strongly’. Of those at large businesses, 71% agreed, falling to 42% at small businesses. One in 10 (10%) disagreed, 6% strongly, and 12% at smaller businesses.