Businesses 'thinking of budgets, not environment'
Business travellers are thinking more about their budget than the environment when booking trips.
The claim comes from the Maison de la France, part of the French Tourist Board that is promoting train journeys across the Channel as a low-carbon alternative to aeroplanes.
The organisation has found that the economic downturn has prompted many businesses over the last year to overlook environmental factors in favour of the cheapest price.
However, according to a recent survey 61 per cent of companies have a so-called ‘corporate social responsibility charter’, compared to 59 per cent last year. This type of charter usually includes a commitment to minimising the company’s carbon footprint.
Green holiday travel
With an increasing number of holiday makers concerned about their carbon footprint, a new type of travel insurance has been launched for the environmentally-aware traveller.
The new green travel insurance policy includes a discount of up to 25 per cent for trips that do not involve flying.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said: “An increasing number of holiday makers are keen to reduce the environmental impact of their travels – they want to go green without compromising on quality. This travel insurance offers a discount for the increasing number of people who choose not to fly for environmental reasons.”
Find out more about the green travel insurance and all it offers at www.greentravelinsurance.co.uk
| Green travel tips | …at a glance |
|---|---|
| Consider alternatives to flying | If air travel grows at current rates it will become the biggest source of CO2 pollution by 2040 |
| Let the train take the strain | Train travel offers a quick and hassle-free way of reaching the continent and beyond – specialist sites give advice on travelling by rail and sea to far-flung destinations |
| Minimise then offset CO2 | plan your travels so you create the minimum amount of CO2 emissions and offset those you do create using a gold standard offset programme |
| On your bike | consider the bicycle as an alternative to a hire car if practical – you will see your holiday from a new perspective and return home fitter and trimmer! |
| Conserve | Try to only use the electricity and water that you need as many countries don’t have great supply of either |
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What is the ETA?
The ETA provides motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and green insurance products and campaigns for sustainable transport – when you buy the services below you help fund our charitable work.