Green Business Traveling Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

You've finally gotten your presentation together, and you're ready to fly across the country to present it to an important client. Now you're expected to to green up your business travel while you're totally distracted by work? Relax -- green business travel is becoming easier, now that those in the travel and hospitality sectors are becoming aware of the impact of their carbon footprints. Here are 10 ways to go green when you go on your next business trip:

While this may sound a little dramatic, it's often a very do-able option. Teleconferencing, webinars and other methods of long-distance conferencing are becoming more and more sophisticated. Companies often use conference calls to update employees across the country on new developments. Making PowerPoint and other presentations to clients is now being done routinely by teleconferencing, especially when they would otherwise require overseas travel.

If you must travel, think about your means of transportation. For relatively short distances, trains and buses may not sound glamorous, but they are preferable to one person traveling alone in a car. Carpooling should always be used if several employees are headed to one destination.Green business travel means paying attention -- the goal is to use the most ecologically-friendly means of transportation possible.

If flying is your only option, check out airlines that are working to reduce their carbon footprint. Go to airlines' websites and see what they've posted concerning their fuel efficiency, their recycling program, their carbon offset efforts. Fly with as little luggage as possible -- a lighter plane reduces CO2 emissions. Remember that taking a direct flight also helps to reduce an airline's greenhouse gas emissions.

If you need to use a rental car, go green by asking for the smallest vehicle you can. See if a hybrid car is available when you rent in advance. Use public transportation if possible when you're traveling in your destination city. You may be able to forgo a rental altogether by using the services of a shuttle service.

Hotels are making green business travel more convenient by offering reuse of linens for short stays, low-flow shower heads, some solar power, and green (nontoxic) cleaning products. When you stay at an eco-friendly hotel, let them know that you and your company appreciate their efforts to make business travel greener.

Find out five more tips for green business travel on the next page.