The Big Four firms Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG have advised employees to reduce business travel and prioritize virtual meetings to save costs and address environmental concerns, according to a report by Money Control.
Big Four firms are urging employees to limit trips, including client visits, in favor of online collaboration. For unavoidable travel, employees are encouraged to use public transportation like trains whenever practical.
The shift has been implemented over the past few months.
Case Studies of Reduced Travel
In one example, a firm won a global client based in Japan. Traditionally, such engagements would involve multiple partners and staff traveling to the client’s location. This time, only one partner traveled, while others participated remotely, sources revealed.
Partners in these Big Four firms are senior professionals responsible for strategy and profit-sharing. Their roles often require client-facing work, which makes some travel unavoidable. However, most internal meetings have now moved online to reduce costs and emissions.
Another instance highlighted an internal event held near Delhi. While air travel was approved for employees traveling from cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, those based in Delhi were instructed to use trains.
Asha Ramanathan, Chief Operating Officer at PwC India, stated that their net-zero program promotes greener choices. “We encourage virtual collaboration, consolidating meetings, and using low-emission options such as trains and electric vehicles where possible,” she said.
Cost and Environmental Benefits
Work-related travel is a significant expense for these firms, making these changes both financially and environmentally beneficial.
According to Money Control, many partners acknowledge that building client relationships often requires in-person interaction. “Spending time with clients helps establish trust and rapport, which is essential for long-term relationships,” one partner noted.
Still, they emphasized the importance of balancing these interactions with sustainability goals.
Broader Strategy and Future Outlook
Emails sent to Deloitte, EY, and KPMG for comments were reportedly unanswered. However, environmental commitments and cost-cutting efforts appear to be key motivators behind these policies. The firms have set net-zero targets, and reducing travel aligns with their broader strategy to achieve these goals.
In this news, Money Control previously reported that Deloitte initiated a restructuring process in India last year. As part of this effort, 35 senior partners were offered early retirement through a voluntary program. This initiative aimed to streamline operations across various divisions, including audit, consulting, and financial advisory.
The move to limit travel reflects an ongoing trend in the consulting industry, where firms balance traditional practices with modern demands for efficiency and sustainability.
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