Sustainability is no longer an optional add-on for corporate travel — it’s a boardroom priority.
As investors, employees, and customers demand stronger Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, companies are rethinking how people move for work.
From real-time carbon tracking to prioritizing low-emission transport and eco-certified hotels, greener travel solutions are quickly becoming standard operating procedure for business travel programs worldwide.
Below, I’ll explain what’s driving the change, how technology is enabling it, what it means for different travel segments (including MICE and even Marine & Offshore Services), and how travel partners — from global international travel services to regional corporate travel agencies in South Africa — are adapting.
Why ESG now matters for corporate travel
Three forces have pushed ESG to the top of the corporate travel agenda:
Regulation and reporting expectations. Companies face growing disclosure requirements and investor scrutiny around emissions and sustainability metrics; travel is a visible and measurable part of many firms’ footprints.
Employee demand. Business travellers increasingly expect greener options — they notice airline emissions, prefer eco-minded hotels, and value travel policies that balance mission with wellbeing.
Cost & risk management. Investing in sustainable travel often uncovers inefficiencies (unnecessary mid-haul flights, poor hotel sourcing) that, when fixed, cut costs and operational risk.
Industry studies and trend reports show ESG is now embedded in travel strategy rather than being an optional checkbox — mainstream players predict sustained growth in ESG-driven and tech-enabled travel segments.
What “greener travel solutions” look like today
1. Carbon tracking and accountable measurement
Actionable sustainability starts with measurement. Companies are integrating carbon accounting and travel-specific emission calculators into booking and reporting workflows so every flight, train, and hotel stay can be translated into CO₂e and tracked against corporate targets. This is happening via APIs, travel management systems, and integrated carbon-management platforms.
Platforms and apps for carbon tracking — from enterprise solutions to travel-centric tools — are widely adopted as the baseline for credible ESG travel programs.
2. Low-emission transport choices
Travel programs now steer travelers toward trains, direct flights (fewer connections = lower emissions per passenger), airlines with modern fuel-efficient fleets or SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) initiatives, and electric ground transfers. Real-time environmental impact scoring is becoming a normal feature in TMC travel management company booking tools.
3. Eco-certified and locally responsible lodging
Corporate travel buyers are prioritizing hotels with recognised sustainability credentials and local supply chains that reduce food miles and community impact. Large hotel groups publish sustainability reports and targets, and many properties now feature measurable programs (water reuse, energy sourcing, waste avoidance). Booking platforms and corporate programs increasingly surface these attributes to bookers.
4. Minimizing waste and choosing local, responsible suppliers
Sustainable travel isn’t only about transport and hotels — it’s about procurement. From locally sourced catering at events to partnering with ground handlers who minimise single-use plastics, procurement decisions are filtered through ESG criteria. This reduces scope-3 emissions and supports local economies. Industry guidance encourages buyers to include supplier sustainability in RFPs and contracts.
How technology makes ESG travel practical
The shift from aspiration to action is powered by tech:
Carbon APIs & booking-layer integrations let travel managers show emissions at the moment of booking and capture data automatically for reporting. Travel platforms like GreenPerk, TravelPerk’s GreenPerk API, and other carbon tools are becoming common choices for TMCs and corporate portals.
Analytics & dashboards provide cohort-level insights (by team, route, vendor) so companies can set targets and measure progress.
AI and recommendation engines can nudge travelers to greener options while still respecting policy and traveler preferences — for example, suggesting a slightly longer train trip that yields far lower emissions for the same productivity outcome.
These tools make ESG actionable without blocking business priorities — a vital balance for procurement and travel teams.
Impact on MICE, Marine & Offshore Services, and different travel verticals
MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events)
For mice travel companies, ESG means rethinking event design: smaller, high-impact gatherings; hybrid formats to reduce travel volumes; venue selection that values local sourcing and low-carbon operations; and transparent reporting of event emissions.
Incentive travel is also evolving — bespoke experiences that support local communities and biodiversity are now high-value rewards.
Marine & Offshore Services
Marine and offshore logistics face unique ESG pressures: vessel emissions, fuel choices, offshore wind support, and heavy equipment logistics. The sector is accelerating adoption of cleaner fuels, digital predictive maintenance to reduce fuel waste, and supply-chain resilience planning — all part of corporate ESG programs tied to maritime operations. These changes are relevant for companies whose travel intersects offshore mobilization or project logistics.
What travel companies and agencies are doing (and must do)
Business travel companies and global international travel services are no longer just ticketing intermediaries — they’re ESG enablers. Best practices include:
Embedding carbon metrics into booking flows and client dashboards.
Curating “green supplier” lists (hotels, ground transport, venues) and negotiating preferential terms for sustainable options.
Offering managed-service solutions for event decarbonisation (for MICE travel companies) and risk-aware, low-emission mobilisation strategies (for Marine & Offshore Services).
For regionally focused corporate travel buyers, such as Corporate travel agencies in South Africa, local expertise matters — understanding regional supplier ecosystems, available rail/low-emission options, and local ESG certification schemes helps create programs that meet both global ESG goals and local realities.
Practical steps for companies building a green travel program
Measure first. Start with consistent carbon accounting for travel bookings; pick tools that integrate into your TMC or booking portal.
Set clear policy nudges. Encourage lower-carbon routes and enable exceptions for business necessity — use incentives for compliance.
Supplier selection & procurement. Embed sustainability criteria into RFPs for hotels, ground transport, and event venues.
Make events greener. For MICE, build hybrid capabilities, choose green venues, and report event emissions.
Partner with the right travel provider. Choose a business travel company that can deliver carbon tracking, sustainable supplier curation, and policy enforcement. Regional partners who understand local markets (e.g., corporate travel agencies in South Africa) add operational value.
Satguru Travel: an example of an ESG-aware partner
Companies looking for a partner that blends managed travel with sustainability should consider travel providers that explicitly offer CO₂ tracking, verified offset programs, and green supplier options within their corporate travel program.
Satguru Travel, for example, positions its corporate travel program to include CO₂ tracking and green supplier alignment, helping clients convert ESG commitments into measurable travel outcomes.
Working with a travel management specialist who integrates sustainability into booking flows and reporting is a practical way to get started.
The business case: ESG ≠ cost center
Implementing greener travel delivers measurable business benefits: lower wasted spend, stronger supplier relationships, improved employee satisfaction, better ESG ratings for investors, and reduced regulatory risk. The most successful programs use data to reveal efficiencies and reinvest savings into higher-impact sustainability actions.
Closing thoughts
The ESG revolution in travel is not a trend to watch from the sidelines — it’s a strategic shift redefining how companies buy and manage travel.
Whether you’re a global international travel services provider, a regional corporate travel agency in South Africa, a MICE travel company planning the next incentive trip, or a logistics buyer for Marine & Offshore Services, the mandate is the same: measure, minimize, and make choices that align travel with broader corporate ESG goals.
The technology and supplier ecosystem exist to do this today — the only remaining question is how fast organisations will embed these practices into everyday travel decisions.
