Every shipment tells a story, and the next chapter of relocation will be written in sustainability metrics.

As organizations push toward net zero, many are discovering that one part of their carbon footprint remains largely invisible: the emissions created by moving people. This is where mobility teams have a unique opportunity to step forward as strategic partners, bringing measurable, data-driven insights into their company’s broader ESG strategy.

A quick refresher: ESG and Scope 3

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, the framework companies use to measure how responsibly they operate.

When it comes to carbon reporting, emissions are grouped into three categories:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from company-owned sources (like vehicles or buildings)
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy (like electricity or heating)
• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions across the value chain- including suppliers, logistics, business travel, and even employee relocations.

According to research from the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Scope 3 emissions account for roughly 75% of a company’s total emissions on average.

That means the greatest sustainability impact often lies outside the organization’s direct control, precisely where global mobility operates.

This is where mobility teams have a unique opportunity to step forward and influence their company’s overall ESG performance. By partnering with relocation providers that can measure and report the sustainability performance of their service networks- from shipping and housing to travel and local vendors- mobility teams can contribute verifiable data to the organization’s ESG reporting.

In doing so, they not only strengthen compliance and transparency, but also demonstrate the measurable value of mobility in advancing enterprise sustainability goals.

Making movement measurable

Traditionally, RMC services have been measured in cost, compliance, and satisfaction. But sustainability adds a new dimension: accountability. Forward-thinking relocation partners are now integrating sustainability into every stage of the move cycle.

Smarter transportation choices

Reducing emissions starts with logistics. By prioritizing sea freight over air freight for non-urgent shipments- a shift that can reduce transport-related emissions by up to 90%- and optimizing routes or consolidating loads, RMCs help clients meet Scope 3 reduction targets.

Cleaner fleets and facilities

Across their networks, partners are transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles and powering warehouses with renewable energy. Facilities equipped with EV charging and efficient lighting provide tangible reductions that can be tracked and reported.

Digital efficiencies

Replacing in-person site visits with virtual pre-move surveys reduces travel emissions, while digital documentation and e-signatures cut paper use. Multiplied across hundreds of moves, these operational shifts make a measurable difference.

Sustainable materials and circular practices

Packaging is one of the most visible opportunities for impact. Leading RMCs are using recyclable and reusable materials, eliminating single-use plastics, and partnering with local charities to repurpose packing materials or donated goods from move-outs.

Employee and community impact

Sustainability also extends beyond carbon. Programs that support local employment, ethical sourcing, and community engagement demonstrate alignment with the “S” in ESG, and help tell a more holistic story about responsible global operations.

Supply chain accountability and transparency

The most advanced providers are auditing and reporting on the sustainability credentials of their service delivery partners, from shipping lines to housing suppliers to travel providers. This visibility helps clients understand their full value-chain emissions and strengthen ESG disclosures.

Questions to ask your RMC

As ESG reporting becomes more data-driven, mobility teams should look to their relocation partners for measurable, verifiable sustainability insight. Here are a few key questions to guide the conversation:

• Do you track and audit the sustainability performance of your service partners- movers, housing providers, and freight carriers?
• How are suppliers selected and monitored for environmental and social compliance?
• Can you provide verified emissions data for the services your company delivers?
• Are your operations or networks aligned with recognized standards such as ISO 14001 or the GHG Protocol?
• What active measures are in place to reduce emissions, such as fleet electrification, renewable energy use, or material recycling?
• How do you ensure reductions are measurable and not limited to carbon offsets?
• And most importantly: How can we partner with you to co-develop sustainability goals or share data insights that improve our ESG reporting?

Sustainability in mobility is only as strong as the network that supports it. Every mover, housing provider, and logistics partner contributes to a company’s environmental footprint and, increasingly, to its ESG rating.

By leveraging the right RMC and their global network, mobility teams can turn relocation data into tangible ESG value, helping their own organizations demonstrate real progress toward net-zero and responsible growth.

Sources: 

https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/scope-3-emissions-top-supply-chain-sustainability-challenges 

https://climateactionaccelerator.org/solutions/sea_freight/ 

https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/issues/climate/zero-in-on-scope-1-2-and-3-emissions.html