Environmental Leader

The Institute of Travel Management has launched a Environmental Impact Reduction Toolkit, part of ITM’s CSR initiative Project ICARUS, launched at the end of 2006.

The new toolkit contains corporate case studies highlighting successes in the use of video conferencing, ground transportation, and wider environmental activities. According to one case study, Unilever has revamped its car services polices and contracts, asks travelers to use public transport or to share rides, and asks suppliers to use more fuel-efficient vehicles, The Transnational reports. According to ITM, Unilever expects to save £150,000 in the first year of the new program and to lower emissions by booking fewer overall car journeys.

In another example, since 2005 Vodafone has emphasized videoconferencing to cut costs, improve employee well-being and minimize the company’s carbon footprint. According to ITM , Vodafone now has a full-time global videoconferencing manager, 200 videoconferencing units and a pre-trip policy requiring travelers to consider videoconferencing as an alternative. In 2006, the company estimated that videoconferencing saved 5,520 tons of carbon dioxide.

A  guide to RFP and travel policy environmental best practice, an FAQ document dispelling some of the myths surrounding carbon,  an analysis of the different measurement tools, and more detailed information about video conferencing is also included in the toolkit.