Simon-Kucher: Driving decarbonization by integrating sustainability criteria into every business travel activity
Simon-Kucher, a global consultancy, is one of the first German companies amongst leaders in the Travel Smart Ranking and has been recognized as a Rail Frontrunner for the second consecutive year by the Travel Smart campaign. This achievement underscores their continuous commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly in reducing emissions from corporate business travel activities, by prioritizing rail over air travel wherever possible while maintaining client relationships. We spoke with Anne Rupp, Global Head of ESG, to learn more about Simon-Kucher’s strategy and their strides in reducing business travel emissions.
Simon-Kucher is in the leading categories of the Travel Smart Ranking. What have been the main ingredients for you to be one of the first German companies at the top of the list?
At Simon-Kucher, we envision ourselves generating sustainable growth and having a positive impact on our people, planet, communities, and our clients. That is why we are aware of our environmental impact on our planet by our business activities, particularly through business travel activities, as travel is an integral part of client integration. Continuous monitoring of emissions, setting emission reduction targets, as well as transparent reporting and communication of our emissions has been key in getting Simon-Kucher into the top of the list.
Additionally, our recognition as a Rail First frontrunner stems from embedding sustainability into our corporate travel guidelines, prioritizing rail for shorter trips whenever feasible, and leveraging science-based targets validated by the SBTi. Leadership support and the commitment of our employees, who champion these efforts in their daily work, have been instrumental.
You are among the companies leading the shift from air to rail. Why has rail been such a key aspect of your sustainable travel strategy?
We believe that rail travel is a practical and efficient way to reduce our travel emissions while maintaining client relationships. For trips under a certain time threshold, rail is the most sustainable choice of travel. Introduction of our Global Travel Guidelines and strong employee engagement have been instrumental in the shift from air to rail travel. Beyond its environmental benefits, rail aligns with our broader climate strategy and demonstrates our responsibility as a global consultancy.
Simon-Kucher employees use trains by default for trips below a certain threshold. Could you detail this measure and how it was decided?
Our Global Travel Guidelines mandate rail travel for trips under a three-hour threshold and where infrastructure is well developed and feasible. This decision was data-driven, informed by an analysis of our most frequent travel routes and their carbon footprints. Working together with our Group Travel Manager and feedback from our employees helped ensure the shift was both practical and impactful. Additionally, the three-hour threshold was set based on balancing our sustainability goals with consultants’ productivity and convenience during travel while also maintaining client’s relationships.
Consulting is among the sectors with the best scores in the ranking. What can other sectors learn from this experience in reducing business travel-related emissions?
Business travel is one of the biggest sources of emissions in the consulting sector, as meeting clients is an integral part of our daily business activities. While travel remains essential, consulting can successfully reduce emissions through a combination of strategies that other sectors can adopt. This includes a data-driven approach to monitor and manage travel patterns, integrating clear travel guidelines, and fostering strong employee engagement. Additionally, collaborating with clients to minimize travel, investing in advanced virtual meeting tools, and building a culture that values sustainability alongside operational excellence have proven effective in balancing business needs with environmental responsibility.
What were the key factors that helped you set a reduction target?
At Simon-Kucher, we are committed to environmental protection and sustainable business practices. At the core of this commitment lies our strategic goals to fulfill our climate responsibility by reducing our footprint in line with the Paris Agreement. Our vision and core values of “Creating Positive Impact” drive us to set ambitious reduction targets. Additionally, meeting regulatory requirements, addressing client expectations, and staying competitive further motivate our sustainability efforts.
Our reduction targets are validated by SBTi, aligned with the Paris Agreement and are based on the detailed analysis of our corporate carbon footprint.
What challenges does Simon-Kucher find in reducing emissions from travel, and how do you overcome them?
Balancing sustainability goals with the need for in-person client meetings is a key challenge. To address this, we focus on purposeful travel, ensuring that trips are planned to maximize value. Clear communication, strong employee engagement, collaboration with departments and showcasing the benefits of our travel guidelines have been critical to securing buy-in across the organization.
Are there improvements in the quality of rail services that would further facilitate the uptake of rail by Simon-Kucher employees?
Reliability is essential. For consultants with tightly scheduled commitments, the ability to depend on trains arriving on time is crucial. Improvements in cross-border connections, streamlined ticketing, and expanded high-speed networks would further enhance rail’s feasibility and attractiveness.
What are the benefits of reducing flying emissions for the business and for employees?
For the business, reducing flying emissions whenever feasible aligns with our ESG strategy and enhances our reputation with clients. It demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and supports long-term environmental goals. For employees, these efforts foster a sense of shared responsibility and contribute to a forward-thinking corporate culture.
What would you say to a company hesitating on setting a reduction goal?
Start small but start now. Focus on areas where changes can make the biggest impact, such as reducing short-haul flights and switching to rail. Setting clear but achievable goals and implementing targeted measures builds momentum and shows stakeholders that sustainability is a priority.
What are the next steps for Simon-Kucher in terms of business travel emissions reduction?
We’re focused on refining our travel guidelines, collaborating with stakeholders to improve rail access, and engaging employees to continue our progress toward net zero. Continuous reporting and monitoring will remain central to tracking our success.