Sustainable Business Travel: cutting emissions through corporate mobility in Southern Sweden 

Reducing emissions from business travel and daily commuting remains an underused lever in the transition towards climate-neutral regions. In southern Sweden, the nationally funded initiative Hållbara företagsresor 2.0 (Sustainable Business Travel) demonstrates how structured engagement with companies can translate climate ambitions into concrete changes in everyday mobility. 

Implemented between September 2021 and December 2024, the initiative involved 12 companies in Lund and Helsingborg and was facilitated by the Energy Agency of Southern Sweden (Energikontor Syd), in close cooperation with the municipalities of Lund and Helsingborg, the County Administrative Board of Skåne, and Lund University. Compared to the pre-pandemic baseline year of 2019, participating companies achieved a 38% reduction in CO₂ emissions from business travel and commuting, delivering benefits for both climate performance and organisational efficiency. 

From strategy to everyday practice 

The initiative supported companies throughout their transition towards more sustainable mobility practices. Each participating organisation began with a workshop and tailored coaching to develop a company-specific action plan. These plans were revisited and refined through ongoing coaching sessions during the project period. 

To ensure progress was measurable, companies received customised results from three staff surveys, covering business travel, commuting habits, remote working practices and employees’ expectations regarding sustainable mobility support. The companies also met regularly through network meetings in Lund and Helsingborg, where they exchanged experiences, challenges and lessons learned. Webinars and knowledge-enhancing sessions complemented these meetings, providing practical insights on topics such as travel policies, digital meetings and low-carbon transport options. 

Based on their specific contexts, companies implemented a wide range of measures. These included replacing company car fleets with electric vehicles, encouraging train travel instead of flights, introducing internal carbon fees for air travel, improving access to public transport passes, prioritising low-carbon travel options in booking systems, and relocating offices closer to public transport hubs. Several companies also invested in cycling infrastructure, charging facilities and campaigns to encourage more sustainable commuting. 

Inspiring change through visible role models 

A distinctive element of the initiative was the use of employee ambassadors selected for their existing sustainable travel habits. Acting as visible front figures within their organisations, they demonstrated that low-carbon mobility choices are realistic, rewarding and compatible with everyday working life. 

Through storytelling and an inspirational short film produced within the initiative, ambassadors shared their own experiences and encouraged colleagues to try alternative ways of travelling. As one ambassador explains: 

“The perceived obstacle is often greater than the real one. When I cycle part of my commute, I arrive more focused, I’ve already processed my workday on the way home, and I don’t need to find extra time to exercise.” 

Another ambassador highlights the importance of patience and experimentation: 

“Changing habits can feel difficult, so it helps to decide when to start and give it time. Try it for a month. You gain energy, save money, and it feels good knowing you’re doing something positive for the environment.” 

By making sustainable mobility visible and relatable, ambassadors helped normalise new behaviours and strengthened peer-to-peer engagement within their organisations. 

Measurable impact and wider benefits 

Beyond the significant emissions reductions, participating companies reported additional benefits, including increased efficiency, improved employer branding and greater attractiveness for employees and customers who value sustainability. 

By acting as a neutral competence centre, the Energy Agency of Southern Sweden successfully linked policy objectives with practical implementation at company level. The initiative shows how regional energy agencies can support businesses in cutting emissions from mobility while reinforcing progress towards climate-neutral regions. 

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!