Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WERC.
This article is based on the white paper “Sustainability in Global Mobility: The Case of Eco-Conscious Assignments in Global Mobility,” which explores the challenges and opportunities in the industry from a more holistic perspective, focusing on the regular activities.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Sustainable Relocation
The concept of sustainability is evolving from a buzzword into a critical necessity, particularly for global corporations. Recent regulatory changes mandate emissions reporting, compelling companies to reduce their carbon footprints. As part of this effort, we should broaden our industry’s approach to sustainability in the context of relocations and take a more holistic perspective, including the entire duration of assignments and related activities as opportunities for positive change. However, transitioning to more sustainable habits in a new home can be challenging. So, how can we collectively assist the assignees and the climate as an industry?
Opportunity Gap in the First Weeks of Relocation and Shared Responsibility
Sustainable relocation practices should be less about grand gestures and more about small, everyday actions that collectively have a significant impact on our overall carbon footprint. At the end of the day, sustainability is a journey, not a destination.
According to a research study conducted by Professor Bas Verplanken in 2016, it is in the moments of significant life changes that old habits are disrupted and the opportunity and mood for change are created—and relocating ranks as one of the best times for old habits to change. Intervening with sustainability knowledge and incentives can motivate individuals to prefer more sustainable options and thus create an impact far beyond the relocation life cycle.
However, to turn the opportunity into impact requires more than just awareness, because being aware of the situation does not mean the problem is well understood. Education is a vital component in this equation. The international relocation process is a complex and demanding event for the assignee as it is. Helping the assignee navigate the sustainable options and highlighting the benefits these choices can have for the individual as well as the local community can make a difference. By equipping assignees with the knowledge and tools they need to make environmentally conscious choices, sustainable practices can become an integral part of their new routines much easier.
Relocation Life Cycle and Thinking Beyond the Repatriation
Sustainable relocation involves more than just moving belongings from one place to another. It is about integrating new habits that can further develop after the assignment, thereby using our relocation support as a sustainability booster to fast-track the assignee to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Pre-move and Moving Phase
The one-time carbon emissions footprint makes a substantial mark when it comes to the physical move on an intercontinental level. In 2022, the total carbon footprint from global transportation accounted for 8.1 GtCO2e, making transportation the second-largest source of emissions worldwide. International air aviation counted for 6% of CO2 emissions in the transportation sector worldwide, and international shipping counted for 10% in the same year. Air and sea freight are here to stay, and although the outlook for sustainable fuels seeming promising and the consignments consolidation and transportation management optimization are steps toward the right direction, there is still a way to go to make the flights and sea freight “greener.”
Settling In
Choosing suitable housing options starts before the initial move. And how we live and utilize energy in our daily operations brings up opportunities to save in the long run. Data from the EU reports that 36% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the union come from buildings only. Around 80% of the energy used in buildings is used for heating, cooling, and hot water. Based on the U.K. statistics, with sustainable household practices like better-insulated construction, smart heating, energy-efficient appliances, etc., estimated yearly energy savings of 10-30% can be achieved.
The incentives for sustainable housing should also go hand in hand with educating the assignee on approaching household energy consumption with sustainability in mind.
Daily Life = Long-term Sustainability
The opportunity window for change is within the first three months of relocating. With the right and localized informational support, training, and relevant incentives, it might be much easier for the assignee to adjust and onboard themselves accordingly.
The areas of daily life are essential to focus on in such training:
- Local sustainability practices – Understanding the new location’s recycling best practices and regulations, informing on the curbside recycling programs, water conservation efforts, and renewable energy initiatives.
- Community involvement – Informing on the local environmental initiatives or cleanup activities but also on the environmental challenges in their host location, such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction.
- Cultural sensitivity – Inform the assignees of the context of cultural importance and the general mood of environmental practices in their host country. Learning about traditional conservation methods, indigenous knowledge, and local attitudes toward nature and the environment helps cross-cultural understanding.
- Personal carbon footprint – Encourage assignees to minimize their carbon footprint by using public transportation, reducing energy consumption, and choosing eco-friendly accommodation.
Companies with a globally mobile workforce can reduce Scope 3 emissions by shifting their relocation policy to encourage employees to choose more sustainable alternatives to their daily actions. While companies have less control over the availability of green housing options or the reach of recycling programs in each destination, sustainable transportation options (public transit, hybrids, electric vehicles) are available across the developed world, and options are expanding rapidly in all destinations. So, choosing a sustainable form of local transportation is a simple, practical step the assignee can take toward achieving the company's sustainability goals and the assignee's impact on personal carbon footprint.
Note: The global transportation emissions from cars and vans represented 48% of carbon emitted in 2022. Which is much more than global air or sea transport.
How a More Sustainable Commute Can Offset a 40-Foot Container Move
With the help of an example, let us give more context on how a regular activity, such as car commuting, can be done more sustainably when on an international assignment. Can the switch from petrol-fueled cars to electric cars help make a difference in the whole assignment life cycle?
Assume a relocation of an assignee with his family from the U.S. to the U.K. for a period of two years. Moving the family’s household belongings back and forth will emit roughly 4.1 tons of CO2e.
The assignee must commute daily due to limited public transportation options. If the assignee drives 12,000 miles per year in a petrol car with an average consumption of 8 liters/100 km, the carbon footprint of his driving results in 7.5 tons of CO2e over the two-year assignment. Choosing an electric car with an average consumption of 17 kWh/100 km saves almost 80% of CO2 emissions, with a total of 1.7t of CO2e emitted. In other words, by driving an electric car on an assignment, 5.8t of CO2 can be saved, thereby “offsetting” more than the carbon footprint of the 40-foot container shipment. (For more context on the case study, read the white paper).
A Collective Commitment to Sustainable Relocation
Sustainability is a journey. And the journey toward sustainable relocation practices requires a joint effort from all stakeholders involved. Each stakeholder—be it the relocating employee, the corporation, or the relocation consultant—has a role to play in this journey. By collaborating and committing to ongoing education in the matter to get deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable choices, we must take the initiative and motivate the assignees to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.
It is time to shift our focus to a more comprehensive view of relocation, one that encompasses the entire relocation life cycle. This includes pre-move planning, the physical move, settling in, and long-term daily activities. Merely concentrating on the initial move underestimates the cumulative effect of everyday actions. Our daily habits and routines are deeply ingrained in our behavior, making it challenging to change their course. However, the initial months of relocation present a unique window for change. This opportunity should not be overlooked; instead, it should be harnessed through well-timed incentives and support systems that promote sustainable behavior from the start.