UCSB Business Travel Assessment Form

The purpose of this optional assessment is to support the Manager/Supervisor in determining whether an employee needs to travel for a work related meeting or conference.

UCSB Business Travel Assessment

Business Travel Guidelines

The Impact of Travel

Air travel to conferences, talks, training, and other meetings can account for up to a third of the carbon footprint for a typical faculty or staff member.

In addition to cost and carbon emission reduction — teleconferencing has accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency benefits — however, tradeoffs do include networking and conference goals.

Supervisors should discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of teleconference with employees requesting to travel for work. If the decision is made that attending in-person is the best option, the following pages contain some sustainable travel guidelines.

 
3,700,000

($)Spent on UCSB Business Air Travel in 2019
 

5,000

Metric Tons of Carbon Emissions Released

Sustainable Transportation 

 

Book Direct Flights
Most of the plane’s fuel is used during take-off and landing, so non-stop flights cut down on half the plane’s emissions.

Always book flights using Concur, or through a certified small business travel agency if using federal funds. Booking with Concur allows us to better track greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel.

 

Choose to Carpool
Carpooling with others reduces the amount of fuel and carbon emissions.

 

Take The Train
Amtrak trains depart from Goleta and Santa Barbara directly to San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego, including multiple stops in between

 

Board the Bus
The bus is an affordable and convenient option, with twenty-two buses in circulation in the Santa Barbara Area

Sustainable Packing

Choose Smart Items to Pack
Dramatically cut down on the amount of plastic and paper items used by brining the following items

  • Reusable Water Bottles
  • Travel Coffee Mugs
  • Straws
  • Takeout Containers
  • Cutlery
  • Shopping Bags
  • Shampoo and Conditioner

 

Bring Reef Safe Sunscreen
Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays, but seek out safer, mineral based options that use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Even if you re not swimming, the sunscreen you wash off in the shower might end up in local bodies of water.

 

Sustainable Accommodations

Book Sustainable Hotels
Try to book hotels that are Green Seal. Use the local Green Hotels Association to find certified hotels that integrate environmental considerations into their business practices to decrease their carbon footprint.

LEED Certified
All LEED certified hotels will display their certification on on their website. Many of these hotels can be found on Conexus.

UC partner brand Marriot has a large selection of LEED certified hotels to choose from. Some hotels offer free bike rentals. Find one through the following links.

Practice Sustainable Living
Have a safe and sustainable stay by heeding the following practices.

  • Check if the hotel has a recycling system: If they don’t, suggest in a comment card that they begin one.
  • Put out the do not disturb sign: This means less chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and washing of bed linens.
  • Hang up your towels: Hanging up your towels signals that you are planning on reusing them. And towels don’t get washed everyday at home, so why do that at a hotel?
  • Turn off electronics: Turn off the TV, lights, and heater/air conditioner when you leave the room: Save energy while you’re away!
  • Try to avoid guest laundry services: Guests' clothes are washed separately most of the time, no matter how few items there are.

Sustainable Dining

Choose Sustainable Restaurants
Websites like the Green Restaurant Association and Ocean Friendly Restaurants (Surfrider Foundation)can help you find locations that meet environmental standards for things like water efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable food. This is another great opportunity to look for the local Green Business Association.

  • Avoid takeout items that come with additional disposables like wrapping, napkins, utensils, condiment packets
  • Avoid plastic bags and straws as they account for a large percentage of plastic pollution