Only 24% of UK businesses can compare accommodation carbon data before booking, survey finds

A new survey by Roomex shows that only one in four UK business decision-makers can easily compare carbon data before booking workforce accommodation. The research, which polled over 1,000 people involved in or affected by workforce travel, found that 38% of companies only receive emissions information after the booking is made or not at all. This means many organizations cannot factor carbon impact into their accommodation choices in real time, turning emissions tracking into a reporting exercise rather than a decision-making tool. The survey also highlights practical barriers to greener choices. In 85% of organizations, cost, location, availability, or project urgency take priority over carbon impact at least some of the time. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said bookers need approval to choose a lower-carbon option if it costs more or is less convenient. Roomex argues that businesses need connected systems that present comparable carbon data alongside price and location during the booking process, not after. For companies with mobile workforces, the findings underline a gap between sustainability goals and daily operations. Even when emissions data is available, time pressure and tight spending controls often override it. The report suggests that clearer upfront information would still allow businesses to make lower-carbon choices where practical, without ignoring commercial requirements.