The Coalition for Greener Mobility: Promoting Sustainability in the Global Mobility Industry

Central to the coalition’s mission is the promotion of environmental, social, and governance practices throughout the global mobility landscape.

In a world where environmental concerns are at the forefront of societal discourse, the global talent mobility industry faces increasing pressure to adapt and evolve in a sustainable manner. Recognizing this imperative, the Coalition for Greener Mobility was established in June 2022, comprising six leading employee mobility associations committed to fostering sustainability within the industry.

The founding members, the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC), Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA), EuRA, FIDI Global Alliance, International Association of Movers (IAM), and WERC, joined forces with a common goal: to promote a shared understanding of best practices and actions that enhance sustainable outcomes across the mobility sector.

Central to the coalition’s mission is the promotion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices throughout the global mobility landscape. In September 2022, the coalition initiated a global effort aimed at ensuring the industry plays its part in environmental sustainability. This endeavor culminated in the signing of a joint agreement, providing the global mobility sector with a roadmap and common actions to achieve greater environmental sustainability.

The coalition’s charter outlines several key objectives:

• Promotion of Best Practices: By promoting a common understanding of good practices, the coalition aims to facilitate learning, collaboration, and improved ESG practices in the management of global mobility.
• Transparency and Measurement: The coalition endeavors to provide the mobility community with tools to enhance transparency on environmental sustainability. This includes facilitating meaningful measurements to track and report progress in sustainability efforts.
• Collaborative Action: Recognizing the multifaceted nature of sustainability, the coalition seeks to facilitate collaboration across various stakeholders to drive meaningful change within the industry.

During a recent meeting, members of the coalition explored strategies to drive sustainability in a practical and effective manner. They identified several key drivers behind corporate sustainability, extending beyond environmental concerns to encompass broader ESG principles, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and adherence to human rights and labor laws.

One significant driver of sustainability initiatives is compliance and legislation, particularly influenced by initiatives such as Europe’s “Green Deal” and the enactment of new state environmental regulations and potential federal regulations in the United States. These regulations not only emphasize environmental impact but also address social and governance aspects, reflecting a broader global shift toward sustainability.

The coalition recognizes that sustainability diligence is increasingly becoming internationally mandated, with expectations for large companies to have robust sustainability strategies in place. Moreover, sustainability credentials are vital for companies to demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices, necessitating proper reporting and supply chain management.

The implications of these sustainability trends for global talent mobility are profound. Suppliers in the mobility sector face mounting pressure to showcase their sustainability credentials, often encountering sustainability requirements in requests for proposals (RFPs). However, the lack of guidance and coordination in these requirements has led to frustration and inefficiencies within the industry.

In response to these challenges, the Coalition for Greener Mobility has taken proactive steps to streamline sustainability compliance efforts. Collaborating with external consultants, the coalition has defined its roadmap and identified short-term priorities, including education and awareness initiatives, establishment of common definitions, and implementation of carbon measurement standards.

In 2023, the coalition made significant strides in defining sustainability within the global mobility sector and fostering platforms for the exchange of best practices and conversations across verticals during industry conferences. Resources released by the coalition to date include a glossary of sustainability-related terms and blueprints, white papers, and other resources related to corporate housing, destination services, and moving.

Efforts by the coalition have been, and continue to be, supported by dozens of talent mobility professionals representing different parts of the industry and located around the globe. These individuals have participated in a range of task forces, advisory committees, and meetings convened by various members of the coalition, and their efforts have been vital to achieving the deliverables to-date.

Looking ahead, the coalition’s next steps focus on streamlining the RFP and procurement process to ensure sustainability requirements are practical and transparent for all stakeholders. This includes exploring ways to integrate sustainability considerations into pricing constraints, addressing the challenge of “putting a price on sustainability.”

Additionally, the coalition continues to emphasize the importance of educating clients and assignees on the impact of data and options on global mobility policies. By raising awareness and fostering collaboration, the Coalition for Greener Mobility is poised to drive meaningful change and promote sustainability as a cornerstone of the global mobility industry’s ethos.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Coalition for Greener Mobility or getting involved in the coalition’s activities can do so online or contact a member organization of the coalition.