“Big Four Firms Advise Employees to Reduce Business Travel and Prefer Public Transport, Reports Say”
In an effort to reduce costs and minimize their carbon footprints, the Big Four consultancy firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—are urging employees to limit work-related travel. These industry giants are advising their staff to prioritize virtual meetings over in-person engagements whenever possible, and for essential travel, employees are encouraged to choose public transportation such as trains instead of flights.
In an effort to reduce costs and minimize their carbon footprints, the Big Four consultancy firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—are urging employees to limit work-related travel. These industry giants are advising their staff to prioritize virtual meetings over in-person engagements whenever possible, and for essential travel, employees are encouraged to choose public transportation such as trains instead of flights.
According to a Money Control report, these firms have been implementing these measures gradually over the past two to three months. The new approach aims to reduce business travel expenses, which are a major cost for consultancy firms, and align with their environmental commitments. In addition to promoting virtual collaboration, the firms are encouraging the use of low-emission transportation options like inter-city trains and electric vehicles for local travel.
One example highlighted in the report involved a global client engagement in Japan, where traditionally, two partners and four employees would travel. However, in a bid to limit travel, only one partner made the trip, while the rest participated virtually. This change reflects a broader shift towards prioritizing sustainability and cost-saving practices.
Asha Ramanathan, the Chief Operating Officer at PwC India, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “In the professional services industry, travel is often necessary, but through our net-zero program, we are encouraging our teams to adopt greener, more conscious choices.”
Additionally, a recent internal event at a Big Four firm required staff from cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru to fly, but those based in Delhi were asked to take a train to the venue. The firms are also promoting consolidation of meetings to reduce the need for frequent travel, as well as offering virtual solutions where feasible.
The push for fewer business trips is driven not only by financial concerns but also by the firms’ strong commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Partners, who hold senior roles and make key decisions within the firms, still engage in necessary travel for client relationships, but internal meetings are now predominantly conducted virtually.
While the financial impact of travel is significant, the long-term goal is to strike a balance between maintaining vital personal connections with clients and reducing the environmental footprint of the firm’s operations. As companies in the consulting sector move towards more sustainable practices, this trend of minimizing travel is expected to grow in importance.
Though emails sent to Deloitte, EY, and KPMG were unanswered at the time of publication, it is clear that the industry’s shift towards virtual collaboration and sustainable practices will continue shaping its future operations.
Sources By Agencies
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