New research from Uber for Business: How Australian organisations are driving sustainable change

Many business leaders around the globe are increasingly integrating sustainability into their core strategies. In Australia, this commitment is exemplified by new regulations that came into play on 1 January 2025, initially engaging larger enterprises and major emitters and reflecting a broader movement towards integrating sustainable practices across all sectors in the coming years.

In this context, Uber for Business, aligned with Uber’s mission to reimagine the way the world moves for the better, conducted a 2024 Business Sustainability Survey. This research aimed to understand how focused on achieving sustainable change Australian business leaders are, and how they are considering travel (characterised as producing scope 3 emissions, and seen by many as harder to track) within their ESG strategies. The survey unveiled that popular strategies among business leaders included tactics like supplier audits for compliance with renewable energy and zero-waste goals (36%), internal campaigns for sustainable practices (32%), waste reduction (28%), energy efficient product modifications (28%), energy management optimisation (26%) and requiring hybrid/electric travel options for staff (26%).

Our ebook Starting small: Inspiration on turning climate goals into business change contextualises the research alongside commentary from expert Dr Evan B Center, Senior Manager, Environment and Climate Change at the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA), and Uber for Business customers AECOM, Herbert Smith Freehills and Project One.

Read this article for a snapshot.

How are Australian business leaders thinking about sustainability?

The research from Uber for Business showed that 83% of Australian business leaders are either preparing to commit or have committed to environmental sustainability targets.

When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions tracking and reporting in particular, it uncovered differences in emission tracking preparedness based on business size, with mid-market organisations more inclined to track scope 3 emissions. Larger enterprises focus more on scope 1 and 2 emissions. Overall, 18% of enterprises track all types of emissions compared to just 8% of mid-market organisations – showcasing a more comprehensive approach among larger entities.

Travel policies and sustainability strategies

Interestingly, the research uncovered that building sustainable behaviours into travel policies is an area where businesses are making strides. In fact, 63% of businesses are revising their travel strategies as part of their responsible business or ESG initiatives. Positive changes made include requiring travel providers to only offer hybrid/EV options to staff, encouraging staff to choose sustainable travel modes like EVs (electric vehicles) and public transport, and surfacing vendors that are certified eco friendly.

98% are exploring ways to enhance environmentally sustainable ground travel further. Tactics recognised as being especially beneficial are dashboards that track and measure environmentally sustainable travel, more affordable electric and hybrid options, and educational tools supporting staff to make more environmentally sustainable decisions.

Australian brands driving change

Uber for Business is proud to partner with sustainability-driven brands who acknowledge the importance of addressing travel-related emissions, and promoting positive behaviour change.

AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, recognises that travel, as a significant source of emissions, must be included in action taken to achieve its ‘Net Zero by 2040’ goal. Its ‘Travel with Purpose’ policy encourages employees to minimise non-essential travel and use alternative options like Uber Green and Comfort Electric.

Similarly, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), a leading international law firm, is working to reduce overall scope 3 emissions, including those generated by business travel. One action it is taking is using Uber for Business to promote and increase the use of lower-emission travel options.

Project One, a construction management firm which sees staff undertake a large amount of travel due to site visits and meetings, achieved carbon-neutral status including by focusing on sustainable travel. Partnering with Uber for Business allowed them to reduce their ground travel emissions by over 70% by encouraging employees to choose hybrid and fully electric vehicle rides through the app.

These companies demonstrate that small steps can make a big difference, and Uber for Business is proud to support their journeys and inspire other forward-looking brands to follow their lead.

Lower vehicle emissions ground travel, taken care of

Reducing your company’s environmental impact doesn’t have to be complicated. Uber for Business makes it easy to integrate sustainable practices into your business travel. With options like Uber Green and Comfort Electric, your team can choose lower-emission rides with just one tap.

Furthermore, the Uber for Business sustainability dashboard provides valuable insights like estimates of on-trip CO2 vehicle emissions based on Uber’s methodology, involving average fuel-efficiency ratings for similar vehicles and data from third parties.¹

It can also help you elevate travel policies and empower employees to make sustainable choices.