As the events industry continues to improve its environmental credentials, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a must-have.

Organisations are examining their supply chains more closely than ever, adopting measures such as low food-mile menus and reducing single-use plastics.

However, when it comes to sustainability, travel remains one of the most complex challenges.

This is often because of resistance (either real or perceived) from attendees who don’t want to spend more time travelling than necessary.

Yet travel can contribute significantly to an event’s total carbon footprint, particularly when international flights are involved.

Tackling travel emissions

Hybrid events have already helped reduce travel emissions, allowing international audiences to participate without boarding a plane. 

Others have balanced carbon-heavy flights with greener decisions elsewhere, such as increased recycling and renewable energy use.

But if you’re looking to avoid air travel altogether, there are options worth exploring. 

Don’t dismiss train travel

Short-haul rail routes like London to Paris via Eurostar have long been a popular low-carbon choice. 

But longer rail journeys across Europe are also an option if you choose your location carefully.

Rail travel offers several key benefits:

• Significantly lower carbon emissions compared to air travel
• More space and comfort for delegates
• Faster boarding and fewer security delays
• Private carriage options for corporate groups.

Train journeys can also become part of the experience, offering opportunities for informal networking or mobile meetings.

They also offer a quiet place to work or simply a calm, scenic journey, getting your event off to a good start.

Keep it local

While rail travel is an excellent way to improve your travel sustainability strategy, other alternatives are also worth considering.

For example, you might avoid international travel altogether, opting for a well-connected local venue instead – either in a city centre or near public transport networks.

This would reduce the environmental impact of your attendees, suppliers, and logistics partners, significantly reducing your event’s total travel-related emissions.

Active travel

For example, if you’re organising an event local to where some of your attendees live, environmentally-friendly people-powered transport options would be possible for some:

• Walking
• Cycling
• Scooting.

These choices are ideal for short distances, though bear in mind they won’t be suitable for everyone.

Low-emission and shared transport

For longer distances and to ensure your event is accessible to all, other sustainable travel options include:

• Hybrid or electric vehicles, especially when charged with renewable energy)
• Car sharing, particularly among colleagues or local attendees
• Public transport such as buses, trams or trains.

Shared travel reduces the number of cars on the road, cutting per-passenger emissions and often lowering costs, too.

Making sustainable travel easy

Your attendees are far more likely to choose environmentally-friendly travel if you make it as appealing and straightforward as possible.

For example, you could:

• Share public transport timetables and route information
• Highlight walking and cycling paths
• Promote local bike and scooter hire schemes
• Work with transport providers to offer discounted or free travel.

Incentivise greener choices

You can encourage your guests to choose sustainable travel options by offering small, thoughtful incentives. 

For example:

• A complimentary hot drink for attendees who show a public transport ticket
• Discounts for other events
• VIP access or priority perks for those who cycle or walk.

You can also encourage more conscious decision-making by sharing clear, relatable facts about your attendees’ carbon footprint. 

For example, a journey from London to Glasgow in a petrol car produces four times more CO2 per person than the same trip by coach.

Offset what you can’t avoid

Even with the best planning, it’s likely some travel emissions will be unavoidable. 

That’s where carbon offsetting comes in. By supporting projects like reforestation or renewable energy, you can balance out the emissions generated by event-related travel.

Be transparent with attendees about offsetting, and encourage them to get involved.

If you have any questions about sustainable travel – or would like some help planning your business events – please contact the Kina Events team on 0207 205 7901 or send us an email.