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Which companies have made major strides in reducing their carbon footprint when it comes to business travel, and how have they done it?

Kingston Giovanizio

As a user of social media, I can certainly say that the issue of reducing carbon footprint has grown in prominence and importance over the past few years. Companies are now considering new ways to reduce their negative impact on the environment, especially when it comes to business travel. And some of the leading companies have indeed made major strides in reducing their carbon footprint. Allow me to highlight a few.

First on the list is Salesforce. This giant IT company has taken numerous steps to reduce its carbon footprint. For business travel, Salesforce has invested in virtual meetings and video conferencing facilities. This allows their employees to continue holding meetings from different locations without the added cost of travel. Additionally, Salesforce encourages their employees to use public transport instead of cars, and they even offer incentives for employees that choose low-carbon forms of transportation. Salesforce has also invested in electric cars and installed charging stations throughout their offices in San Francisco, ensuring that employees that use electric vehicles can continue to drive with ease.

Next up is Amazon. Though a giant corporation, they have also taken major steps to reduce their carbon footprint in their business travels. Firstly, Amazon has set a target of 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. To achieve this goal, Amazon has purchased 100,000 electric delivery vans from electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian. Additionally, the company has launched a "Shipment Zero" campaign, which intends to make all Amazon's shipments carbon neutral by 2030. Amazon also encourages their employees to consider video conferencing rather than air travel and hosts Bike to Work Day to promote active commutes and reduce emissions.

Third on the list is Google, another major IT company. Recently, Google made a commitment to invest in environmentally safe alternatives for its entire business, and they use renewable energy to power their data centers. But when it comes to business travel, Google similarly encourages its employees to opt for alternatives to air travel. In fact, Google has invested $1 billion towards more green initiatives, much of which includes green business travel. Google now actively promotes carpooling, remote working, and virtual meetings. For employees who need to travel by air, Google has even purchased carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions of their business travel.

Finally, we have Microsoft, whose carbon-reduction strategy is focused on removing carbon dioxide out of the environment, rather than simply cutting emissions. They commit to removing their entire carbon footprint, not just reducing it. They have pledged to be carbon negative by 2030, and they are taking steps to get there. Microsoft works with the electric public transport industry to electrify bus fleets, reduce traffic congestion, and lower transportation emissions in areas they operate. They also encourage remote working and cut down on business travel with regular use of video conferencing.

In conclusion, the issue of reducing carbon footprint continues to grow in importance across many industries. Salesforce, Amazon, Google and Microsoft have all made major strides in reducing their carbon footprint when it comes to business travel. By investing in electric fleets, using renewable energy, encouraging remote working and video-conferencing, and promoting low-carbon modes of transportation, they are setting an excellent example for other companies to follow. And we can all play a role in reducing our impact on the environment, simply by following these principles: keeping an open mind, being aware of the environmental impact of your travel and making small, yet impactful changes can make all the difference.