Business travel is under scrutiny. As companies set environmental targets, they are looking at how and why their employees travel. Flights are the most carbon-intensive way to travel. Many organisations now ask: is this trip really necessary? Could it be a video call instead? When travel is unavoidable, choosing the train over short-haul flights reduces emissions significantly. Some companies ask employees to offset their flights. Others have introduced green travel policies that set limits on flying. Sustainable business travel is not about stopping travel altogether - it is about making smarter choices.
💡 Did you know? A single return flight from Madrid to New York produces roughly the same CO2 as driving a car for an entire year.
Topic: Sustainable Travel
Key words
Vocabulary
01
carbon footprint
the amount of CO2 released by an activity or person
02
sustainable
not causing lasting damage to the environment
03
offset
to balance out negative environmental effects
04
alternative
another option that can be used instead
05
emission
gas released into the atmosphere, usually from vehicles or industry
06
policy
a set of rules or guidelines
07
remote
working or meeting without being physically present
08
itinerary
a planned route or schedule for a trip
09
opt for
to choose one thing over another
010
compromise
an agreement where both sides give something up
Match the Words
Click a word on the left, then click its definition on the right.
carbon footprint
sustainable
offset
alternative
emission
policy
remote
itinerary
opt for
compromise
a planned route or schedule for a trip
another option that can be used instead
to balance out negative environmental effects
to choose one thing over another
a set of rules or guidelines
working or meeting without being physically present
an agreement where both sides give something up
gas released into the atmosphere, usually from vehicles or industry
the amount of CO2 released by an activity or person
not causing lasting damage to the environment
Say it right
Pronunciation
carbon footprint
CARBON footprint
sustainable
SUS-tai-nable
offset
OFF-set
alternative
ALT-ern-ative
emission
EM-is-sion
policy
POL-icy
Read & Discuss
Short Dialogue
A:
I've been thinking a lot about carbon footprint recently.
B:
Really? What's your take on it?
A:
I think the issue of sustainable is often misunderstood.
B:
I agree. Most people don't consider the impact of offset.
A:
Exactly. And when you add alternative into the mix, it gets complicated.
B:
So what do you think the solution is?
A:
Honestly? It requires both individual action and systemic change.
B:
That's a fair point. It's never just one or the other.
Comprehension
What topic are they discussing?
What does person B agree with?
What does person A say the solution requires?
Practice
Exercises
Gap Fill
Complete each sentence using vocabulary from today's lesson.
1. Flying increases your significantly.
2. We try to make choices when travelling.
3. Some companies their emissions by planting trees.
4. The train is a good to flying.
5. We need to reduce our carbon s.
Error Correction
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
We need to carbon footprint this issue as soon as possible.
She is very experience in sustainable.
The offset of the project were not meet.
He gave us many advices about alternative.
Speaking practice
Speaking Prompts
Discuss with your partner
How much do you travel for work? Do you think it is necessary?
Would you be willing to take a train instead of a plane for a 4-hour journey? Why or why not?
Does your company have any green travel policies? Should it?
Summarise today's topic in 3 sentences using vocabulary from this lesson.
Grammar focus: Comparatives and superlatives for travel: The train is less polluting than the p... — can you give an example?
Open discussion
Discussion Generator
More Questions
Use with pairs or whole class · Encourage full answers
