MADRID, November 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –

71% of Spanish employees traveling for work will fly less for internal meetings to reduce their environmental impact, 75% of workers believe that companies have an important role to play in fighting climate change and 77% think that companies need to set company flight reduction targets and design travel policies , according to a survey conducted by the Travel Smart campaign and conducted by Ipsos.

The study – carried out among 502 Spanish workers – has also been conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany, with a total sample of 2,506 employees, between 6 and 10 October 2022, and reflects a unanimous conclusion: the majority of respondents said that their companies should act on warming. global. To participate in the study, respondents had to work full time in an organization with at least 50 employees and be between 18 and 74 years old.

The survey also found that three in five employees in Spain said they were on a business trip before the pandemic, but a downward trend was detected. In fact, 56% of those surveyed have reduced their flying habits, only 34% are flying as often as before and 10% are doing so more often this year.

“Flight habits have changed and employees want a new normal where companies are responsible for reducing their emissions. Change will come with clear goals and policies that align with staff expectations. This can only help.” companies are in today’s race to recruit and retain good professionals,” said Lucía Rúa, head of aviation projects at ECODES.

On the other hand, this study reflects that the use of virtual technology that enables online work is the preferred choice for 45% of those surveyed, while flying less often (34%) and choosing other means of transportation (31%) are other options. standout choice.

The study also predicts that virtuality will have an impact even in the area of ​​internal gatherings: 71% of business travelers surveyed will fly less for this type of gathering to reduce their environmental impact and 69% of them are willing to plan more local activities. meeting of the global and thus potentially avoiding long-haul flights.

“Employees understand the climate impact of long-haul flights and are willing to reduce their travel. But they expect company leaders to lead by example and set ambitious targets for reducing business travel via telecommuting.” and modal shift to rail. And there’s never been a better time, right when the COP starts,” said Jérémie Fosse, of the Think & Do Tank environmental union.

“The pandemic has taught us new ways of working, with less air travel and more virtual collaboration. Just because borders are open, we don’t have to go back to the old habits of flying and polluting. Let’s take this moment to keep the air travel of companies under control. 50% of pre-pandemic levels, as a key measure to reduce corporate emissions,” concludes Pablo Muñoz Nieto, from Ecologists in Action.