Toronto Sustainable Business Travel Guide: ACE Travel ...

Sustainable Business
    Travel Guide:

      Toronto

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
In order to help you travel sustainably and confidently to Toronto, we’ve calculated the estimated carbon foot-
print of this trip. Whilst this will not be a complete reflection of your individual journey, it will provide an
approximation of the carbon footprint your business travel decisions can have.

All results are based on these guidelines:

•   One traveller in economy class, one-way
•   Starting their journey in Central London (EC1)
•   Traveling from London Heathrow (LHR) for flights, London St. Pancras for Rail
•   Flying on a Airbus A320 aircraft
•   Driving a 2018 1.5 litre Ford Mondeo Hatchback (manual)
•   All travel distances are approximates based on the best available data from ACE Travel

               If you want a true indication of your own carbon footprint, the ACE Travel team
                       can provide a full emissions breakdown at the time of quoting.

                  Travel by Air
                   Driving to the airport

      11 hrs 40 mins                              £414.40                            840kg of CO2
          50 mins in the car                          £82.40 on parking                 30kms = 10kg (car)
          3 hrs in airport                            £332.00 on flights                5,704kms = 830kg (plane)
          7 hr 50 mins on the plane               *Does not include car fuel         *Plane emissions for 1 passenger

                                                                               Travel by Air
                                                           Catching a Train to the airport

         11 hrs 55 mins                           £338.00                            830kg of CO2
            1 hr 5 mins on the train
                                                     £6.00 on train                     30kms = 0kg (train)
            3 hrs in airport
                                                     £332.00 on flights                 5,704kms = 830kg (plane)
            7 hr 50 mins on the plane
                                                                                     *Plane emissions for 1 passenger

How have we calculated your footprint?

To ensure we’ve provided an accurate reflection of your individual carbon footprint when partaking in a
business trip to Toronto, we have used a range of trusted sources. Similarly, we have accumulated all price data
from a range of reliable sources, including ACE Travel’s own pricing systems. All data is accurate as of September
2020.

Distance has been calculated using existing data from suppliers in addition to map information. This has allowed
us to provide an approximate distance – from the assigned start point to Toronto – but individual mileage may
vary.

ACE Travel’s internal carbon calculators have been used to provide accurate CO2 emissions data for individual
travel.

Assessing your impact?

By compiling this information, we hope to offer a fair and reliable reflection of carbon emissions as well as
sustainable alternatives when planning a business trip. Nevertheless, it is still important to obtain a wider
perspective prior to booking.

For example, whilst rail journeys are known for carbon neutrality, this does not consider the emissions pro-
duced in the creation of electricity to power the trains - which could also be significant. Similarly, we have not
assessed the carbon consequences of food or drink on flights, electricity used to power roads, airports or rail
stations. Likewise, calculations for air travel highlight the emissions for an individual and are not representative
of the whole flight.

As such, it’s important to assess sustainable options, and their relative impacts, within the existing parameters
of business travel.

Remaining Sustainable in Toronto

Getting around
In Toronto, you won’t be starved for choice when it comes to transport, entertainment or accommodation. The
vibrant city boasts both a huge array of public transport options and additionally facilitates private car or taxi
hire should that better suit your traveller.

One of the most popular transport options is the Subway. The system offers two main lines that ensure you
make your way around the city quickly, and efficiently by either purchasing a single trip ticket for CA$3.25 or, if
you’ll be hopping on and off throughout the day, a daily rate of CA$12.50.

The city operates a number of streetcars which can be used 24 hours a day – meaning that you’ll never be stuck
for a way back to the hotel or to an early-morning meeting. The system has 685 stops within it’s substructure, so
you’re sure to get close to any destination. Alternatively, you can find a number of bus services that will get you
where you need to go.

If car transport is paramount, ensure that you choose a hire car with low emission scores, or a taxi service that
runs hybrid or electric vehicles in their fleet.

ACE Travel recommends:

•   Green Motion Car Hire – Abides by its own environmental policy, emphasising low emissions
•   Enterprise – ‘Car Club’ offers fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric models. Produces 43% less CO2
•   Hertz Toronto – Green Collection: a line of eco-friendly hybrid and electric models

Hotels
Whilst booking a hotel might not be a top priority when considering sustainable travel, it can help to manage our
individual environmental impact - so long as budget and location allow.

A number of hotels have begun to adopt policies that highlight progressive initiatives, including; wildlife
conservation, verified eco-credentials or even through supporting local business and vendors.

Hotels are adopting an abundance of sustainable practices, inlcuding but not limited to:

•   Towel reuse programs – allowing guests to reuse linens on consecutive days, reducing the energy and
    water used to clean them.

•   Recycling bins – placed in rooms to allow guests to sort their waste from recycling.

•   Organic/ local food – whether it’s meat, fruit and vegetables, or drinks, hotels can supply ‘home-grown’
    produce to showcase their green credentials.

•   Zero-plastic initiatives – removing plastic containers for in-room complementaries and bathroom
    amenities.

If considering sustainable business travel is important to your business, then visiting a hotel’s website and its
policies is a great way to engage with their environmental stance prior to booking – allowing you to make
informed and sustainable decisions.

ACE Travel recommends (in budget decreasing order):

•   Chelsea Hotel Toronto – Earth Check Certified: internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable practices
•   Hotel X Toronto – Targeting LEED Silver as a minimum performance requirement
•   Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto – Serve 360 Programme: taking on the world’s most pressing issues

You may also like to consider booking a serviced apartment as opposed to a hotel for your traveller. This can
provide your traveller approximately 30% more space than a hotel room, with separate rooms to eat, sleep and
live in, allowing them to feel more comfortable.

Dining
Much like hotel booking, how an employee dines whilst travelling for business may not initially seem like a vital
element of their carbon footprint - but this doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be considered at all. In fact, individuals
can lessen their negative environmental impact by simply opting for restaurants that have obtained sustainable
food certifications – such as how they source their meat or produce!

Of course, this decision will likely be down to your traveller, implementing a sustainable travel and dining policy
can prompt them to make more eco-friendly decisions. This policy could involve cash-back schemes or cover
certain expenses - whatever works for your business!

Nevertheless, the options for sustainable dining are entirely determined by the length of the stay and the
budget for travel.

Making Sustainability Part of Your Travel Policy
Sustainability is going to be one of the biggest challenges to the business travel industry in the next few years,
as consumers push businesses to think more responsibly. But whilst the changes in the future may be big, there
are plenty of small habits that can be incorporated into your business travel policy today, ensuring that
sustainability is a core concern in your process, along with care and cost.

Intelligent Purchasing Techniques:

         Combine meetings and trips to reduce your footprint – work with your TMC to explore creative
         ticketing methods, save some money, time and reduce your emissions.

         As our data shows exploring international rail options – especially against short flights – can have a
         significant impact on sustainability.

         Reward employees for making the right sustainable choices, either through expenses or through
         gifts/prizes.

         Pack light. Your carbon footprint is heavier if your luggage is, so work with your TMC and business
         traveller to determine what is necessary for the trip.

         Where possible, always use reusable products – such as water bottles, coffee cups etc

     Want to discuss how to make your business trip to Toronto more sustainable?

                           Speak to a business travel expert today!

                             reservations@acetravel.co.uk