You don't need to reinvent the wheel to reduce emissions

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) says the sector could become a frontrunner in reducing emissions, but only if sustainability criteria are standardised.

The trade association has released a number of takeaways in a report following on from its first-ever sustainability summit held in November in Brussels. It says while efforts are underway to harmonise methodologies for calculating carbon emissions, particularly as reporting is becoming mandatory in jurisdictions across the world, innovations like sustainable aviation fuel mean accounting guidance needs to catch up.

It added however that travel managers don’t need to know all the differences between different certifications, but just need to introduce sustainability into decision-making and make sure it is prioritised.

Panellists at the GBTA event urged companies to take action now, rather than wait for the ‘perfect methodology’ to be published. Senior management buy-in is also crucial, and travel managers need to provide their leadership with clear data in order to influence sustainability decisions.

Other findings detailed in the report include that for a successful uptake of e-vehicles, three major gaps need to be addressed: the cost of electric vehicles (EVs); the lack of a market for used e-vehicles; and the convenience of charging e-vehicles. On the supply side, for the successful introduction of EVs, the supply of raw materials must be guaranteed.

Following the summit, GBTA said it would draw up a climate action plan and forge new partnerships with NGOs and like-minded organisations to amplify its work.