SAP, PwC & McKinsey: Overhauling Scope 3 Travel Emissions
Major firms are proving that cutting travel emissions is achievable through strategic planning and changes in employee behaviour.
By rethinking corporate travel, they are not only reducing carbon footprints but also reshaping business operations to align with sustainability goals.
SAP is leading the way by transforming its approach to corporate events.
"As far as emissions are concerned, we want to reduce travel activities even more, and we've been purchasing carbon offsets for unavoidable trips for some time now," says SAP's Event Manager Jenny Bittmann.
Rethinking business travel and Scope 3 emissions
Business travel contributes significantly to Scope 3 emissions—those produced indirectly through a company’s value chain, including supplier and employee activities. Firms such as PwC are taking action by adjusting travel policies to align with net zero commitments.
PwC operates in 152 countries, making corporate travel a major source of emissions.
"Flights account for the majority of our carbon emissions so we're going to meet our net zero target if our people take a really thoughtful approach to air travel," explains Marissa Thomas, PwC's COO in the UK.
PwC’s strategy has yielded a 76% drop in air travel emissions since 2019. This success is partly due to The Thoughtful Travel Programme, which encourages employees to reconsider their travel needs, prioritise low-carbon transport and adopt virtual collaboration tools.
SAP is also innovating in transport by promoting rail over road travel.
"As the Global Head of Sustainability at SAP, I'm proud to witness firsthand the exciting shift towards more sustainable mobility solutions within SAP,” adds Matthias Medert.
“I have just approved a workflow for one of my team members who opted for a BahnCard 100 instead of a company car.”
Rail as a solution for corporate sustainability
The shift towards rail travel is gaining traction as companies seek lower-carbon alternatives to flying.
In the UK, research from Trainline Partner Solutions shows that 87% of British SMEs now have targets to cut emissions from business travel, up from 52% in January 2024.
More than a third of these firms see rail as the main way to decarbonise staff travel. Additionally, almost four in five (79%) plan to increase business rail travel through 2025.
"Given rail's strong sustainability advantage over flying and driving, the onus is on the rail and business travel sectors to make train travel the seamless and natural choice," comments Andrew Cruttenden, General Manager at Trainline Partner Solutions.
SAP has taken this further by decentralising corporate events. The company’s Sapphire conference, traditionally held in Orlando, was split across multiple locations in the US, Spain and Brazil, with virtual participation options. This change cut CO2 emissions by nearly 24,000 tonnes.
Other firms are implementing structured travel frameworks. Lloyds Banking Group uses the 'three Ps of sustainable travel'—purpose, planet and planning—to help employees assess whether travel is necessary, reduce environmental impact and optimise planning. The approach supports Lloyds' goal of keeping travel emissions below 50% of 2019 levels.
The pharmaceutical industry is also driving change. Pfizer has cut corporate air travel emissions by 78% since 2019 through its 'purposeful travel' strategy and increased reliance on digital solutions.
The company aims to lower business travel emissions by 25% by 2025 as part of its net-zero push for 2040.
Consulting firms shape the sustainability agenda
As more firms prioritise Scope 3 emissions reductions, consultancies like McKinsey are helping them navigate the transition. The firm is working across aviation, hospitality and rail sectors to create sustainability-focused business strategies.
McKinsey's expertise in rail is particularly relevant as more companies shift towards low-carbon travel.
"We aspire to be the largest private-sector catalyst for decarbonisation,” says Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner at McKinsey.
By optimising routes and integrating digital tools, the firm is supporting railway operators in becoming a stronger alternative to air and road transport.
From rail adoption to decentralised events and digital solutions, businesses are reshaping travel strategies in pursuit of sustainability.
These efforts highlight a lasting shift towards lower-carbon operations, demonstrating that significant emissions reductions are within reach.
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