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Moving on

Why flying less means more for business

Business is finding new ways of working and changing their travel and meeting practices. The need to save money during the recession and a commitment to cut the carbon footprint from travel, were found to be the main drivers for companies.

Norman Baker - One in Five Challenge Moving On Launch Event 02/03/11

The findings from our Moving On report demonstrate that the latest conferencing technologies, such as videoconferencing are creating a culture change in working practices.  There was also evidence that these are longterm changes and companies do not want to return to high levels of flying.

The report was published on 3 March 2011 and the market research company, Critical Research, carried out 158 interviews, taken from a sample of 500 of the largest UK companies.

The key findings of the report were:

  • 47% of companies have reduced the number of business flights they’ve taken in the past two years
  • Of those companies which have cut their flying, 85% do not intend to return to ‘business as usual’ flying
  • 86% of companies are either reducing their carbon footprint from business travel or intend to do so
  • 63% of companies that responded now have a policy in place to reduce business flights, or are intending to develop one

Young man working on the train

The report showed that businesses backed investment in a more affordable and efficient rail network in the UK and Europe. There was also widespread support for nationwide high-speed broadband and tax incentives to boost videoconferencing and other corporate green initiatives.

WWF is calling on government to undertake improvements to the rail network and invest in high-speed rail, as well as reducing the cost of train travel.