How do I refuse to fly for work due to environmental concerns?

[itchybitzy]

I work for a large global company, and unfortunately travel often falls as part of the job. I've managed to keep my travel commitments to a minimum, as quite frankly I hate business trips with a passion, but I am still required to fly at least 2 transatlantic roundtrips per year, plus possibly one European trip.

In recent years I've become more concerned about the devastation we are creating to the environment and have been trying to maintain more sustainable habits to help 'do my bit' where possible. I recently calculated the impact my business trips are having on my annual CO2 footprint and it's staggering.

Has anyone refused to fly with work due to climate change worries? I'd like to broach this subject with my boss but am worried it might be detrimental to my career. The trips are just not worth the footprint in my mind and are not what I would consider essential to our business. I am prepared to video conference in to these meetings, even if it means working late into the night/early in the morning.

Advice or experience would be great! Thanks mumsnetters!

Great update op!

Dh found the same best to get stuck in and be positive force for change. All the doom mongers “op will lose her job” take note!

Well done OP!

I'm glad you've been able to sort things out with your employer. That's good you can use Skype for the meetings. Out of interest, what would your employer do if you couldn't fly for medical reasons, or had a phobia of flying? Presumably they would have had to make allowances?

Hi Itchybitzy, I just wanted to say that your original question was commendable and I hope it really got some people thinking! Although the majority of the responses were a little disappointing to say the least, I did like some of the ideas and the infographic was fantastic. Good luck if/when you do decide to broach with your boss!

Thanks @pippy1958 - Already mentioned to my boss and it went really well (update posted above a week or so ago!). Yes, I was a bit disappointed at some of the responses too, but hopefully in time people will become more aware of environmental issues and questions like this won't even need to be raised!

I think this is a fantastic outcome OP. We need more people to question the status quo like this. The first two pages of the thread were one of the most depressing things I've read in a while.

Considering this was a zombie thread, the solution to unnecessary business trips turned out to be quite extreme...