TheStateofClimateActioninBusinessTravelGlobalIndustryBarometer2023AGlobalBusinessTravelAssociationFoundationReportJune20232www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023TableofContents1Introduction2KeyTakeaways5Chapter1OwningtheChallenge:SustainabilityStaysCenterStage8Chapter2ANewEraofAccountability:EmissionsTrackingandReporting11Chapter3SustainableTravelManagement:UptakeofBestPractices15Chapter4GreenProcurement:UsingDemandasaLeverforChange17Chapter5Decarbonization:ACloserLookatSAFInvestments19Chapter6RemainingBarriers:JoiningForcestoDriveChange1www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023IntroductionBusinesstravelisatacriticaljuncture.Aswecontinuetoreimaginetheindustryinthewakeofthepandemic,wemustconsiderwhataresilientfutureforbusinesstravellookslike.Theurgentchallengeofclimatechangenecessitatesthatwe“own”theissueanddevelopsolutionsthatwillallowustocontinuetotravelforthelongterm.In2022,theGlobalBusinessTravelAssociation(GBTA)conducteditsfirst“StateofSustainability”survey,whichbroughtclimatechangeforwardasthemostmaterialissueforbusinesstravelamongthe17UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).WeembracedthismandateandlaunchedtheGBTAFoundation,allowingustopursuecriticaladvocacy,capacity-building,andresearchobjectivesaroundclimatechange.TheGBTAFoundationprovidesourindustrytheopportunitytoharmonizedisparateeffortsandserveasthoughtleadersforthebroaderfutureoftravel.Todothis,weneedtohaveabetterpulseontheuptakeofsustainabilitypracticesintheglobalbusinesstravelsector:what’shappening,what’swaning,andwhat’stocome.Thisreport−TheStateofClimateActioninBusinessTravel,oursecondglobalindustrybarometerforsustainability−showsthattheindustryissteppinguptothechallenge.ThesurveythatinformsthisreportwasdistributedtothebusinesstravelcommunityincludingGBTAmembersandstakeholderstogatherinsightsfromaroundtheworld.ItwasconductedbetweenApril17andMay5,2023,resultinginatotalof863responsesfrombusinesstravelprofessionalsacrossNorthAmerica,Europe,LatinAmerica,AsiaPacific,Africa,andtheMiddleEast.2www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023KeyTakeawaysSustainabilityStaysCenterStage,BecomesEvenMorePrevalent•Sustainabilityremainstopofmind:92%ofrespondentssaythatsustainabilityisapriorityfortheirorganization(anincreasefrom89%lastyear).NorthAmericaisslightlylaggingbehindotherregions,with86%sayingit’sapriority,versus98%inEuropeand100%inbothAsiaPacificandLatinAmerica.•It’sallaboutreputation–butalsoimpact:Forcompanies,thebiggestdriverswhenitcomestosustainabilityuptakearereputationmanagement(84%)coupledwithagenuinewillingnesstodriveapositiveimpactontheplanet(82%).•Buyersandsuppliersaretakingaction:81%ofbuyershaveintegratedorareplanningtointegratesustainabilityintotheirtravelprograms(anincreasefrom71%lastyear).Amongsuppliers,86%saythattheyhaveintegratedorareplanningtointegratesustainabilityintotheircommercialobjectives.•Companiesareinvestinginsustainabilityteams:71%ofrespondents(buyersandsuppliers)statethattheyhaveasustainabilityteam,anincreasefromlastyear(66%).While90%ofairlineshavesuchdedicatedsustainabilityresources,thisfiguredropsto59%forhospitality,58%fortravelmanagementcompanies(TMC),55%forgroundtransportation,and50%fortechnology/bookingplatform.Onaverage,80%oftravelbuyersstatetheyhaveasustainabilityteam.EmissionsTrackingandReductionTargetsareBecomingtheNorm•Measuringemissionsisthenumber-onepracticeimplementedbytravelmanagers:64%oftravelbuyersaretrackingemissionsfromtheirbusinesstravelprogram(comparedto55%in2022),with70%relyingondatasuppliedbytheirTMC.•Travelmanagersarebeingtaskedwithreducingemissionsfortheirprograms:Morethanhalf(54%)ofrespondentssaythattheircompanyhasseteitherinternalorpublictargetstoreduceScope3emissions,includingbusinesstravel.Another23%areplanningtosetsuchreductiontargets.•Publicdisclosureofbusinesstravelemissionsisstilladiscretionaryeffort:Only20%ofrespondentssaytheircompaniesarereportingalltheiremissions,includingthosefrombusinesstravel.SustainableTravelManagementReliesHeavilyonEmployeeCommunication•Communicationwithemployeesiskey:73%oftravelmanagersarecurrentlycommunicating,orareplanningtocommunicate,withemployeesaboutsustainablechoices.•Combiningtripsisseenasawaytomaximizetravel’sreturnonemissions:74%oftravelmanagersareencouraging(55%)ormandating(19%)theiremployeestocombinemultiplebusinesstripsintoone.•Thefastest-growingpracticewillbetoactivatethepointofsaletoencourageemployeestoselectloweremissionoptions:Onlyimplementedby28%oftravelmanagerstoday,anadditional32%areplanningtohavesustainabilityfeaturesintegratedintotheironlinebookingtool(OBT).1.2.3.3www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023•Travelmanagersarenotalwaysdirectlyactingonthepurposeoftravelintheirpolicies:38%arecurrentlyaskingforjustificationforsame-daybusinesstripsbasedonreturnoninvestment(ROI)andavailablealternatives.•Carbonpricingremainsaniche:Only10%oftravelmanagershaveestablishedcarbonbudgetsorcarbonfees,butthisisunderconsiderationbyanother23%.TravelManagersareUsingtheirPurchasingPowerasaLeverforChange•Travelbuyersarehighlightingtheimportanceofsustainableprocurement,byintegratingorplanningtointegratesustainabilityquestionsintotheirRequestForProposals(RFPs)(76%),selectingorplanningtoselectsuppliersbasedonsustainabilitycriteria(63%),andaddingorplanningtoaddsustainabilityclausestosuppliercontracts(60%).•Developingconsistentindustry-widestandardsisapriorityfortravelbuyers.Askedtopickfivewaysinwhichtheindustryshouldacceleratesustainablechange(outof10possible),alargemajorityofbuyerspointtoharmonizedstandardsonemissionsmeasurement,accounting,andreporting(requestedby65%ofbuyers).Meanwhile,60%ofbuyersrequestedthatGBTAdevelopharmonizedsustainabilityquestionstobeusedinprocurement.•Travelintermediaries,managementcompanies,andconsultantsareleadingthewayinhelpingclientschoosegreenersuppliersandtrackandcompensateforemissions.Manytravelintermediariesarecurrentlydisplaying(orareplanningtodisplay)emissionsatpointofsale(78%),providingemissioncalculationservices(74%),andofferingcarbonoffsettingoptions(73%).InvestmentsinSustainableAviationFuelsareCurtailedbytheLackofBudget•AthirdoftravelmanagerswillsoonbeinthegameforSustainableAviationFuel(SAF)certificates:Whileonly18%oftravelbuyerscurrentlyinvestinthepurchaseofSAFcertificates,anadditional16%haveplanstodoso.OfthecompaniesthatpurchaseSAFcertificates,84%dosothroughairlines.•ThemedianamountspentbythesebuyersonSAFcertificatesis$175,000annually(withabroadrangeinresponses–13%ofthesecompaniesarespendinglessthan$25,000peryear,while17%arespendingmorethan$1millionperyear).ForbuyerspurchasingSAFcertificates,investmentsoftenrepresentasmallpercentageofoverallemissions(lessthan10%).•ForcompaniesnotinvestinginSAF,lackofbudgetisthenumberoneissue:Thisisthemostcommonbarriercited(50%),followedbythelackofunderstandingofhowSAFcertificatescanplayaroleinadecarbonizationstrategy(31%),andtheperceivedcomplexityoftheSAFpurchasingprocess(24%).UnprecedentedLevelsofInvestmentandCollaborationareNeededtoSolveRemainingChallenges•Financingthegreentransitioncontinuestopresentthebiggestchallengeforbothtravelbuyersandsuppliersindecarbonizingtheirprogramsandoperations,with“highercosts”rankingasthenumberonebarriertwoyearsinarow.4.5.6.www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023•Interestingly,thereishoweversomewillingnessbycorporatestopaymoretocompensatefortheiremployees’travelemissions,estimatedataround10%.Whenasked“approximatelyhowmuchmoretheircompanieswouldbewillingtopaytocompensateforemployees’travelemissions”,theresponsesprovidedaveragedat8.6%ofticketprice.•Thereisastrongdesiretoaddressissuesaroundmaintainingconsistentsustainabilitydataandattributesend-to-endthroughthebusinesstravelecosystem.Lackofmeasurementandaccountingstandardsforemissions(51%),lackofdataandaccesstotransparentinformation(47%),andbookingtoolsnotdisplayingsustainabilityfeatures(41%),wereallnamedasmajorbarrierstoenactingmoresustainablebusinesstravelpracticesandservices.•Aparadigmshift:Culturechangenolongertopsthelistasthetopfacilitatorofagreenerfuture–ithasnowfallenbehindthepowerfulcallsforfinancialincentivesandharmonizationofdata/reporting.Whilewemustcontinuetomakethecaseforclimateaction,it’salsotimetoharmonizeourtoolboxandmethodologiesandadvancemoresophisticatedpractices.•GBTAistakingaleadingrole:Lastyear,90%oftheindustrysaidthatGBTAshouldguidethesectorinitssustainabilityjourney.Thiswasreinforcedthisyearbymembersaskingforbestpractices,casestudies,harmonizedstandards,andresearchtoguidetheindustryforward.Wherearerespondentsbased?Whatcategoriesdorespondentsrepresent?50%NorthAmerica34%Europe9%Central&SouthAmerica5%AsiaPacific2%Africa&MiddleEastRespondentsProfile51%40%9%TravelBuyersFinance&Insurance14%Hospitality38%DMO,traveler,datamanagementcompany,governmentofficial,journalist,etc.Manufacturing13%TravelManagementCompanies23%Consulting11%Aviation13%Pharmaceuticals,Healthcare,BiotechnologyandLife11%Technology/Bookingplatforms10%Other11%Other16%TravelSuppliersOther5www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter1–OwningtheChallenge:SustainabilityStaysCenterStageThemessageinthelatestreportfromtheUnitedNations’IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)1isunequivocal:Thewindowofopportunityforsecuringalivableandsustainablefutureforallisrapidlyclosing,andbusinesseshaveacrucialroletoplayinchangingthecourseofourplanet’sfuture.Sowheredoesbusinesstravelfitinthisequation?Howcantheworldcontinueleveragingandinvestinginbusinesstravelasaforceforgood,whileminimizingitsclimateimpactandreducingemissions,beginningnow?Itallstartswithwakinguptothechallengeandembracingtheneedforchange–thisisanareawheretheglobalbusinesstravelindustryistrendingwell.Businesstravel’sclimatechallenge:EmbracingtheneedforchangeLastyear,inGBTA’s2022SustainabilityBarometersurvey,weaskedglobalbusinesstravelprofessionalshowimportantsustainabilityisfortheirorganizations.Thelevelofprioritizationwasalreadyhigh,with89%ofrespondentsclaimingthatthetopicwasamediumorhighpriority.Thisyearthelevelofprioritizationremainshigh,with92%ofrespondentsmakingthesameclaim.Intermsofregions,whilesustainabilityisapriorityforthevastmajorityofrespondentsacrosstheboard,NorthAmericaisslightlylaggingbehindotherregions,with86%sayingit’sapriorityversus98%inEuropeand100%inbothAsiaPacificandLatinAmerica.Interestingly,buyersandsuppliersoftravelservicesareequallylikelytohavetheirorganizationprioritizesustainability,whichimpliesthatthisisnotonlyabuyer-ledagenda.Theentireglobalbusinesstravelecosystemhasstartedtoownthechallenge.Sustainabilityisbecominganintegralpartofcorporatetravelprograms...Corporatetravelmanagershavethekeystomanagingtheimpactoftheirorganization’sbusinesstravelprogramandareputtingthisstrategicroleintoaction.Fully81%oftravelmanagerssaythattheyhaveintegrated,orareplanningtointegrate,sustainabilityconsiderationsintotheirtravelprogram,withEuropeaheadofotherregions(93%).Thisisanetincrease(+10points)incomparisontolastyear(2022),when71%ofcorporatetravelmanagersweresayingthattheyhadintegratedorwereplanningtointegratesustainabilityintheirtravelprograms.…andsuppliersaremakingsustainabilitypartoftheircommercialsuccess.Businesstravelsuppliers–airlines,hotels,carrentalcompanies,travelmanagementcompaniesandothers–arealsoembracingthesustainabilitychallengebyembeddingitintotheirbusinessmodelandoperations.Eightysixpercentofsupplierssaythattheyhaveintegrated–orareplanningtointegrate–sustainabilityintotheircommercialobjectives,withEuropeaheadofotherregions(91%).2ofbusinesstravelprofessionalssaythatsustainabilityisapriorityfortheirorganization1TheSynthesisReportoftheIPCCSixthAssessmentReport(AR6),releasedinMarch2023,summarizesthestateofknowledgeofclimatechange,itswidespreadimpactsandrisks,andclimatechangemitigationandadaptation:https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/2Questionco-developedwithSouthPoleforJune2023sponsoredwebinarwithGBTA.92%6www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Companiesareinvestinginsustainabilityteamstoimplementtheirsustainabilityprograms.Almostthree-quartersofrespondents(71%)statethattheyhaveadedicatedsustainabilityteaminplaceintheirorganization,anincreasefromlastyear(66%).Thisshowsthatcompaniesarecontinuingtomakeinvestmentstoexpandtheirteamsandskills.Inthisregard,thereisstillanotabledifferencebetweenbuyersandsuppliers.While80%ofbuyerssurveyedsaytheircompanyhasasustainabilityteam,thefigureisonly62%forsuppliers,whostillhavesustainabilityprogramsexecutedhorizontallybyotherfunctionsintheircompanies(21%ofsupplierssurveyedsaythattheyhaveasustainabilityprograminplace,butnosustainabilityteam).Drillingdownfurtherintermsoftypeofsupplier,thestudyshowsthatairlineshavesignificantlyinvestedinsustainabilityteams(90%)incomparisontohospitality(59%),groundtransportation(55%),travelmanagementcompanies(58%)andtechnology/bookingplatform(50%).Thislikelyreflectsthepressurecurrentlyplacedontheaviationsectortodecarbonize.(Itis,however,importanttonotethathospitalityrespondentsmayhaveindicatedtheydonothaveasustainabilityteamattheirproperty,althoughtheydoatthecorporatelevel.Thiswouldmeanthatthepercentageofhospitalityrespondentswithsustainabilityteamsishigherthanthedatareflects.)Q:Haveyouintegratedsustainabilityconsiderationsintoyourtravelprogram?Q:Haveyouintegratedsustainabilityintoyourcommercialobjectives?Sustainability’sprominencewillcontinuetorise81%86%50%ofbuyersintegratedsustainabilityintotheirtravelprograms;Anadditional31%areplanningto.IncorporatetravelprogramsInsupplierbusinessmodels66%ofsuppliersintegratedsustainabilityintotheircommercialobjectives;Anadditional20%areplanningto.Doesyourcompanyhaveasustainabilityteam?%yesbysuppliertype90%Aviation(n=41)59%Hospitality(n=111)55%GroundTransportation(n=20)58%TMC(n=71)50%Tech/booking(n=28)7www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023“It’saboutmanagingcompanies’reputations-butalsodrivingpositivechange.Whenaskedtoratetheimportanceofvarioussustainability“drivers”onafive-pointscale,mostrespondentsassignedthefollowingdriversaratingof4or5,indicatingitsimportance:managingreputation(84%),drivingpositivechangefortheenvironment(82%),increasingandretainingcustomeroremployeeloyalty(79%),risk-disclosurerequirementsandpossibleregulations(66%),andincreasingshareholdervalue(65%).3Thisrevealsthatclimateactionisnot(only)analtruisticendeavor,butoneforcedonorganizationsbyinvestorpressureandpublicscrutiny.[Ponerel]énfasissobrelosbeneficiosnosólodelambientesinoparalaempresa.”Emphasizethebenefitsnotonlyfortheenvironmentbutalsoforthecompany.”–Buyer,Argentina3Questionco-developedwithSouthPoleforJune2023sponsoredwebinarwithGBTA.ManagingReputationisthenumberoneciteddriverofclimateactionbybuyersandsuppliers#18www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter2–ANewEraofAccountability:EmissionsTracking&ReportingAsmentionedinthepreviouschapter,therearemanyforcesatplay,includinginvestorpressure,regulatoryobligations,andpublicscrutiny,thatareforcingusersandsuppliersofbusinesstraveltoactontheiremissions.The“RacetoNetZero,”oneofthecampaignsresultingfromtheUnitedNations’ParisAgreement,4kick-startedaglobalmovementofbusinessescommittingtoachievingnet-zerocarbonemissionsby2050.Tomakesurethesepledgesdidnotremaindistantwordsofintentbuttranslatedintoimmediateandeffectiveactiontocurbemissions,companiesbegantoadoptscience-basedtargets(SBTs),withclearlydefined–andideallyindependentlyvalidated–emissions-reductionpathways.Asoftoday,over5,000companieshavesharedtheirtargetsviatheScience-BasedTargetsInitiative5–butonly3%havetargetsthatspecificallyrelatetotheirbusinesstravelemissions.Yetasbusinessleaderscommittotheirownnet-zerostrategies,corporatetravelmanagersarebeingaskedtotrackandreduceemissionsfrombusinesstravel.Formanycorporations,businesstravelemissionsrepresentaconsiderableshareoftheirtotalemissions.Respondentswereaskedwhatshareoftotalemissionsbusinesstravelrepresentsfortheircompany.6Almosthalf(49%)hadnoideawhatthatfiguremightbefortheirorganization,likelybecausetheircompaniesdonottrackemissionsorbecausethisinformationhasnotbeensharedwiththem.Forrespondentswhowereabletoprovidethepercentageoftotalemissionsrepresentedbybusinesstravel,theaggregatedaveragefigurecametoaround25%–one-quarterofallemissions–aconsiderableamountthatdemonstrateswhyemissionsfrombusinesstraveldeserveattention,andmoreimportantly,whytheydemandinvestmentsinlong-termdecarbonizationsolutions.Thisfigurewillobviouslyvarygreatlyfromcompanytocompanyandbasedontheindustrysectorinwhichtheyoperate.Surveyresultsindicatethatbusinesstravelrepresentsamuchhighershareoftotalemissionsforservicecompanieslikeconsulting(53%)andfinance,banking,andinsurance(36%)ascomparedtomanufacturing(12%).4https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement5https://sciencebasedtargets.org/(BasedondataretrievedonJune7,2023)6Businesstravelemissionsarecommonlyreferredasscope3.6emissionsundertheGreenhouseGasProtocol(GHGProtocol):https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards_supporting/Chapter6.pdf9www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Tyingitbacktothepreviousfindingabouttheimportanceofmanagingreputation,itiscriticalforcompaniesrelyingonbusinesstraveltosuccessfullyconducttheirbusiness–especiallythosethathavealargeshareoftheiremissionscomingfrombusinesstravel–todemonstratethattheyareworkingonwaystomanagethoseemissions.“Youcan’tmanagewhatyoudon’tmeasure”:businesstravelemissiontrackingandtargetsettingisgainingmomentum.Measuringandtrackingemissionsisoneofthefirst,andmostimportant,stepstohelpcompaniesunderstandtheclimateimpactoftheirtravelprogramsandidentifyareaswherechangecanhaveasignificantimpact.Today,64%oftravelbuyersaretrackingemissionsfromtheirbusinesstravelprograms(comparedto55%in2022),andanother15%areplanningtodoso.Trackingemissionsisalsoaprerequisitetosettingreductiontargets,inlinewitheachcompany’sobjective.Atpresent,morethanhalf(54%)ofrespondentssaythattheircompanyhasseteitherinternalorpublictargetstoreducetheirScope3emissions,includingbusinesstravel.Another23%areplanningtosetsuchtargets,whichindicatesclearmomentuminthistarget-settingeffort.Q:Whatshareoftotalemissionsdoesbusinesstravel(scope3.6)representforyourcompany?Averageshareoftotalemissionsrepresentedbybusinesstravel,asestimatedbysurveyrespondents,basedonindustrysectors12%15%36%25%53%Manufacturingn=29Pharmaceuticalsn=22Finance,banking,insurancen=33Consultingn=28Averagevalueforthebuyerssurveyedn=209Measuring,TrackingandReportingEffortsSpecifictoBusinessTravelEmissions64%saytheircompanytracksemissionsfrombusinesstravel54%saytheircompanyhasemissionsreductiontargets(includingbusinesstravel)26%saytheircompanyreportstheiremissions(includingbusinesstravel)publicly10www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Therearestillmanymethodologiesoutthere,andtravelmanagersoftenrelyontheirTMCand/orsupplierstogettheinformation.Mostrespondentsgettheiremissionsdatafromtheirtravelmanagementcompany(TMC)(70%),butmanyalsogodirectlythroughtheirsuppliers(50%).Thisisalsousuallycombinedand/orcompletedwithacompany’sowncalculatedinformation.Whenitcomestoemissionscalculationmethodologies,thetwomostcommonmethodsareemissionsestimatesbasedongenericemissionsfactors(GHGP,26%andDEFRA,25%),andmoresophisticatedtravelcarbonemissionsmethodologiesviaconsultants(likeThrustCarbonorAdvito’sGate4)orasector-specificapproach(liketheInternationalAirTransportAssociationforaviation).Simplyput,trackingandreportingemissionsdataaredifficult,andrequireresources,standards,andanagreed-uponinternalprocess.Manybuyersareusingmorethanonemethodtoobtainandcalculateemissionsdata,whichonlyaddstothecomplexityandlikelymakesitdifficulttogetaholisticviewofbusinesstravelemissions.Furthermore,alargepercentageoftravelbuyerssimplydon’tknowwhatmethodologytheircompanyisusingtocalculateemissions(36%),pointingoutaneedforeducationonthetopicandmorestandardizedprocessesthatcompaniescaneasilyreplicate.Takingthedatapublic:externalreportingAccordingtothesurvey,20%ofcompaniesarecurrentlypubliclyreportingtheiremissions(includingScope3),withsignificantlyfewersuppliersreporting(15%)thanbuy-sidecompanies(26%).InthecontextofstricterreportingrulesimplementedintheEU7andproposedbytheSecurities&ExchangeCommissionintheU.S.,8wewilllikelyseeatrendtowardmorecompaniesstartingtoreportonclimaterisksandemissions.Weneedtohelptravelmanagersmanagethedataandprovide[templates]toreporttheirinternalresultsupward…toseniorleadership.”–Technology/bookingplatform,UnitedStates7NewEUrulesoncorporatesustainabilityreportingenteredintoforceinJanuary2023:https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32022L24648U.S.SECproposedrulestoenhanceandstandardizeclimatedisclosures:https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2022-46Methodsusedbythebuyerssurveyedtocalculatetheirbusinesstravelemissions51%usegenericemissionfactors30%usemoresophisticatedtravelmethodologies26%13%8%7%1%1%25%MoreEuropeancompaniesarereportingonallscopes(30%)(includingscope3)thanNorthAmericancompanies(14%).2X11www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter3–SustainableTravelManagement:UptakeofBestPracticesCorporatetravelmanagersareusingawidearrayofstrategiestomanagebusinesstravelemissions.Thetopmeasurescurrentlybeingpracticedbytravelmanagersincludemeasuringandtrackingbusinesstravelemissions(64%),integratingsustainabilityquestionsinsupplierRFPs(57%),andinternalcommunicationwithemployeesaboutsustainabilitychoices(50%).It’sclearthatamajoramountofworkisbeingdonetomeasureandtrackbusinesstravelemissions,whichisadmirablegiventhecomplexityofthetopic.Atthesametime,therearestrategiestravelmanagerscanpursuetodaythatdon’trequireanemissionsbaseline,suchasprocuringsustainability-orientedsuppliers,workingwiththeironlinebookingtoolproviderstointegratesustainabilityinformationand“nudges,”andupdatingtravelpolicieswitheither“encouragements”ormandates.Sustainabilityintravelpolicies:fromnudgestomandatesImplementingaclimate-conscioustravelpolicyempowerstravelerstomakebetterdecisions.Overall,70%ofbuyersarenowintegrating,orareplanningtointegrate,sustainabilityconsiderationsintotheirtravelpolicy,asimilartrendtotheoneidentifiedinlastyear’sreport.Somepracticesarealreadywidelyusedincompaniesaroundtheworld,suchasmandating/encouragingeconomyclassforcertainflights,useoftrainsforcertaintrips,andcombiningmultipletripswherepossible.Generally,“encouragements”aremorecommonthanmandates,andthisisagoodplacetostartifbuyersneedtotestthewaters.Q:Isyourcompanycurrentlydoinganyofthefollowingtomanagebusinesstravelmoresustainably?Q:Isyourcompanycurrentlydoinganyofthefollowingtomanagebusinesstravelmoresustainably?●Yes●No,butplanningMainmeasuresimplementedtomanagebusinesstravelemissionstravelbuyersonly(n=341)MeasuringandtrackingbusinesstravelemissionsIntegratingsustainabilityquestionsinsupplierRFPsInternalcommunicationwithemployeesaboutsustainabilitycriteriaIntegratingsustainabilityconsiderationsintotravelpolicySelectingsuppliersbasedonsustainabilitycriteriaAddingsustainabilityclausestosuppliercontractsActivatingthepoint-of-bookingtoencourageemployeestoselectloweremissionsoptionsOffsettingbusinesstravelemissionsviacarboncreditsInvestinginthepurchaseofSustainableAviationFuelcertificatesEstablishinginternalcarbonspricingmechanismsfortravellikecarbonbudgetsand/orfeesRewardingemployeesthatchoosemoresustainabletraveloptionsProvidingtravelerswiththeoptiontooffsetemissionsatthetimeofbooking64%57%50%43%34%34%28%23%18%10%5%7%15%19%23%27%29%26%32%15%16%23%20%12%12www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Encouragingmodalshiftsfromairtorailisontheuptake.In2022,42%oftheindustryfeltthatswitchingfromairtraveltoothermodesoftransportationshouldbeencouraged,while11%feltthatitshouldbemandated.In2023,thisappearsasatoptravelpolicy,with52%encouragingand28%mandatingtheuseofthetrainfortripsoffewerthanaspecifiednumberofhours.Dependingonregion,thismaybeanothersimplepolicythatcansaveonCO2emissionsforshortertrips.Somecompaniesareevenofferingincentivesfortraintravelers,suchasallowingthemtorideinbusinessclass.Activatingthepointofsale:apowerfulwaytoempowertravelerstomaketherighttraveldecisionsThepointofsalepresentsahugeopportunityforcompaniestonudgetravelerstomakemoresustainableselections.Currentlyonly28%oftravelmanagerssaytheyareusingtheirbookingtechnologytoencouragetravelerstomakemoresustainablechoices,however,anadditional32%areplanningtodoso.Formosttravelmanagers,thisspecificallyincludesdisplayingemissionsatpointofsale(72%).Othersareutilizingpop-upsformoresustainableroutealternatives(37%)andforpre-approvalrequests(35%).[Weneedto]promotetechnologytoassisttravelers[in]makingasustainablechoiceatthetimeofbookingtravel.”–Buyer,USATypesoftravelpolicyimplementedbycompaniesthatintegratesustainabilityconsiderationtravelbuyersonly(n=341)Q:Haveyoumandatedorencouragedthefollowingpracticesinyourtravelpolicy?EconomyclassfortripslessthanXhoursUseoftrainwhereavailablefortraveltimemorethanXhoursChoiceofaccommodationclosetomeeting,walktomeeting,publictransport,etc.CombinationofmultiplebusinesstravelsinsteadofsubsequenttripsDirectflightsoverflightswithlayoversBookingoflowestemissiontraveloptionsRentalofelectricorhybridvehicleChoiceofonlyresponsible/sustainablehotelsJustificationofsame-daytripbasedonROIandavailablealternativesChoiceofonlyairlineswithsustainabilitytargets/net-zerotargets/SAFprogramsetc.22%64%52%28%21%19%18%10%13%9%54%55%47%50%42%44%22%26%16%4%●Encourage●Mandateoftravelmanagersareusingorplanningtousepointofsaletoencouragetheirtravelerstomakemoresustainablechoices60%13www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023YesNobutplanningtoNo+don'tknowThesefeatureshavetobeenabledbyonlinebookingtoolentities,whicharerespondingtothedemandandworkingwithtravelmanagerstodevelopandofferthesefeatures.Thegoodnewsisthatmanytravelintermediariesarecurrentlydisplaying(orareplanningtodisplay)emissionsatpointofsale(78%),providingemissioncalculationservices(75%),andofferingcarbon-offsettingoptions(73%).Anemergingopportunityistopresentmultimodaloptionsatthepointofsalethatcombineairwithgroundtransportalternativessuchasrailformulti-legtrips(whichisofferedby49%ofintermediaries).Notsurprisingly,thisissignificantlymorecommonamongEuropeansuppliers(68%)thanNorthAmericansuppliers(36%),giventheavailabilityofrailoptions.Q:Isyourcompanycurrentlytakinganyofthefollowingmeasurestohelpyourclientsreducetheircarbonemissions?TravelintermediariesarehelpingtheirclientsmanagetheirtravelemissionsPercentagesrepresenttheaggregationof“yes”and“planningto”respondents75%78%77%Multimodaloptions(combiningseveralmodesoftransport)areonlyofferedbyhalfoftravelintermediariesQ:Areyouprovidingmultimodaloptionstoyourclients?(n=77)49%Overall68%Europe36%NorthAmerica●Yes●No,butplanning●No,+don’tknowProvidingmultimodaloptionsDisplayingemissionsatpointofsaleProvidingemissioncalculationservicesYesNobutplanningtoNo+don'tknowYesNobutplanningtoNo+don'tknow73%Providingcarbonoffsettingoptions%yesbyregion14www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Therearefewguardrailsaroundsame-daymeetings,althoughitcouldbeasimplepolicythatsavesbothmoneyandemissions.Themostcommon“mandate”iseconomyclassfortripsthattakefewerthanagivennumberofhours,whichislikelyalsoacostdecisionformanycompanies.Manyotherpoliciescanactascost-savingmeasuresaswell,suchascombiningmultiple,shortbusinesstrips,choosingaccommodationsclosetothemeetingtosaveongroundtransportcosts,andaskingforjustificationforsame-daybusinesstripsbasedonROI.CarbonbudgetsandfeesasthenextfrontierOneexampleofhowemissionsdatamightbeusedforinternaldecision-makingistoactivatemechanismslikecarbonbudgetsorfees.Thisisarelativelynewpractice,asoursurveyindicatesthatonly10%ofrespondentsarenowusinginternalcarbon-pricingmechanismsfortravel.Anadditional23%,however,areplanningtoimplementaninternalcarbonbudgetorfee,implyingthatthisisthenextfrontierforcompanieslookingforbest-practicetravelmanagement.TravelbuyersareusingcarbonpricingtomanagebusinesstravelmoresustainablyBuyersplanningtousecarbonpricingBuyersusingcarbonpricing23%10%CarbonBudgetandCarbonFee15www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter4–GreenProcurement:UsingDemandasaLeverforChangeWhilecompaniescandirectlytackletheirScope1and2emissionsbyoperatingmoresustainably,reducingbusinesstravel(Scope3,Category6)emissionsreliesonthedecarbonizationofthesupplychain.Travelandprocurementmanagersmustleveragetheir$1.158trillion(2023forecast)9inspendingtosendademandsignalformoresustainableoptions,andsuppliersmustworkfastertodecarbonizeoperations.Realdecarbonizationofbusinesstravelrequiresbothsides−buyersandsuppliers−tostepuptheirefforts.BuyersaresendingademandsignalBuyershaveakeyroletoplayinsignalingagrowingdemandforgreenertraveloptionsandjoiningforceswiththeirsupplierstohelpdecarbonizethebusinesstravelsupplychain.InGBTA’srecentreportthatbenchmarksbestpracticesformanagingemissionsfrombusinesstravel,10companieshighlightedtheimportanceofgreenprocurement,orselectingsuppliersbasedontheirsustainabilityeffortsandperformance,asanareaofhighimpacttohelpreduceemissionslongterm.Thispracticeisgainingtraction,withmoretravelbuyersintegratingorplanningtointegratesustainabilityquestionsintotheirRFPs(76%),selectingorplanningtoselectsuppliersbasedonsustainabilitycriteria(63%),andaddingorplanningtoaddsustainabilityclausestosuppliercontracts(60%).Whileideallyallbuyerswhoareaskingsustainabilityquestionsshouldbeusingthatinformationtoselectsuppliers,thatisnotalwaysthecase.Suppliers’responsesarealsointegratedintocompanies’sustainabilityreporting.9GBTABusinessTravelIndex™Outlook,August2022;https://hub.gbta.org/files/410310GBTAFoundationReport:ManagingEmissionsfromBusinessTravelProgramshttps://gbtafoundation.org/emissions-benchmarking/●Yes●No,butplanningGreenprocurementpracticesamongsttravelbuyersSelectingsuppliersbasedonsustainabilitycriteriaAddingsustainabilityclausestosuppliercontractsIntegratingsustainabilityquestionsintosupplierRFPs57%34%29%19%34%26%16www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Anecosystemapproach:decarbonizationistiedtosuppliers’effortsAnincreasingnumberofsuppliers,suchashotels,airlines,andgroundtransportproviders,areworkingtodecarbonizeoperationsandmeasuretheirclimateimpact.Accordingtothe2022GreenLodgingTrendsReport,whichbenchmarkssustainabilitytrendsfrom27,000hotelsacross54countries,over60%ofhotelsareplanningandimplementingcarbonreductionmeasures,andover40%nowmeasuretheircarbonemissions.11Intheworldofaviation,expertspredictthatin2023airlineswillbebetterequippedtoprioritizesustainabilityandinvestinalternativefuelssuchasSAF,nowthattheyarefinallyreachingprofitabilityinthepost-pandemicworld.12Andnotably,theavailabilityofelectricvehicleswithinthecarrentalmarketisgrowing.13ButiftheindustryisgoingtoreachNetZeroby2050,supplierdecarbonizationeffortsneedtorampupinspeedandscale.TheneedforharmonizationTwomajorindustry-widestandardsthatcouldpavethewayforsustainableprocurementarestillmissing:1)harmonizedemissionscalculationmethodologiesforeachsector,and2)harmonizedsustainabilitycriteriaforsupplieroutreachandselection.Travelbuyerscannoteffectivelycomparesupplieremissionsdataifthesesectorsarenotusingcommonmethodologies.Fortunately,suppliereffortstoharmonizeemissionscalculationmethodologiesforhospitalityandaviationareunderway.TheSustainableHospitalityAlliance(SHA)isworkingtoimproveuptakeoftheHotelCarbonMeasurementInitiative(HCMI),amethodologyforhotelstocalculatethecarbonfootprintofhotelstaysandmeetings.14Meanwhile,theInternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA)andTravalystareworkingonamethodologytocalculateroute-basedpassengercarbonemissions,whichcanthenbeutilizedacrosstheaviationsector.15Inaddition,inordertoimprovetravelbuyers’abilitytoincorporatesustainabilityintotheirprocurementpoliciesandpractices,harmonizedsustainabilitycriteriaforsupplieroutreachandselectionareneeded.Thiscanincludestandardizedsustainabilityquestions,scorecards,andguidancearoundclausesincontracts.GBTAmembershaverequestedthatGBTA“helptocreatestandards[brokenoutbyvertical]sothatthetravelindustrycanhelpeducatebuyersandprovidetransparent,valid,andstandardizedinformation.”(QuotefromaUS-basedhotelcompany).InAugust2023,GBTAwillreleasestandardizedquestionsforfourverticals−accommodations,aviation,rail,andgroundtransport−toaddressthisgap.Advocatingforstandardizationacrosstheindustryreallyisvitaltomoveforward.”–Buyer,UK11GreenviewandWTTC’sGreenLodgingTrendsreport:https://greenview.sg/services/green-lodging-trends-report/12AirportTechnologyon2023aviationtrends:https://www.airport-technology.com/features/experts-predict-the-airline-trends-well-see-in-2023/13CNBContheEVtransitioninthecarrentalindustry:https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/18/how-the-massive-ev-transition-is-starting-in-the-car-rental-industry.html14SustainableHospitalityAllianceontheHotelCarbonMeasurementInitiative:https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/resource/hotel-carbon-measurement-initiative/15IATAonthecollaborationtomeasureflightcarbonemissions:https://airlines.iata.org/news/iata-collaborates-to-measure-flight-carbon-emissions#:~:text=IATA%20and%20Travalyst%20have%20joined%20forces%20to%20provide,the%20traveler%20and%20relevant%20technical%20and%20operational%20expertise17www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter5-Decarbonization:ACloserLookatSAFInvestmentsAmongthemanyleversbuyershaveattheirdisposal,investinginemissionsreductiontechnologieswithinthebusinesstravelvaluechainiscritical.Notonlycanbuyersreportonsomeofthesetacticsasdecarbonizationefforts,butitalsosendsademandsignalandincreasessupplyforneededsolutionswhileultimatelyalsoloweringthecost.Approximatelyone-fifthofbuyersarecurrentlyinvestinginSustainableAviationFuel(SAF),primarilygoingthroughtheairlines.Sustainableaviationfuel(SAF)isasafereplacementforconventional(fossil-based)fuelthatcouldreducecarbonemissionsonalifecyclebasis.Today,SAFismoreexpensiveduetohigherproductioncostsrelativetodemand,amongotherreasons.Only18%ofbuyersarecurrentlyinvestinginthepurchaseofSAFcertificates,althoughit’sencouragingtoseethatthisfigureisexpectedtodoubleinthenearterm,withanadditional16%planningtoinvestinSAFcertificates.Themedianspendbythesebuyersis$175Kannually(withabroadrangeinresponses–13%ofthesecompaniesarespendinglessthan$25Kperyear,while17%arespendingmorethan$1Mperyear).16ForbuyerspurchasingSAFcertificates,investmentsgenerallyrepresentonlyasmallpercentageoftheiroverallemissions(lessthan10%).Althoughthiseffortbycorporationsisencouraging,thescaleofinvestmentneedediscolossal.Industryexpertspredictthat$175billioninannualinvestmentisneededtoscaleSAFifwearetoreachNetZeroby2050.17Lookingatbarriersandwhat’sstandinginthewayofalargernumberofcompaniesinvestinginSAF,50%ofrespondentssaythatthisisbecausethereisnobudgetavailable,whileotherssaycompanieslackunderstandingofhowSAFcertificatescanplayaroleintheirdecarbonizationstrategy(31%),ortheSAFpurchasingprocessitselfseemstoocomplex(24%).Interestingly,barrierssuchascostandlackofeducation/awarenessoutweighthefactthatpurchasesofSAFcannotbecountedasoutrightemissionsreductionsaccordingtotheGreenhouseGasProtocol’sguidance.Discussionstoamendthisguidanceareunderway–butclearly,thisisnottheonlyhurdletoovercome,withbringingdowncostsandincreasededucationbeingparamountintheraceforSAF.16Lowsamplesize.17MissionPossiblePartnershipreport:https://missionpossiblepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Making-Net-Zero-Aviation-possible.pdf$175,000MedianannualamountinvestedbybuyersactiveinthepurchaseofSAFcertificates$18www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Intermsofpurchasingmechanisms,buyersarecurrentlymainlypurchasingSAFdirectlyfromtheairlines(84%).ButtherearealsooptionstodosodirectlyfromSAFproducers/retailersviaBook-and-Claim(16%),throughtheirTMC(12%),participationinbuyers’alliances(9%),andothermeans.Notethatthesepurchasingoptionsarenotmutuallyexclusive,andoftenreflectthetime,expertiseandbudgetthatbuyersareabletoallocatetoSAFpurchasingfortheircompany.Investmentsinthevaluechainarepreferredoveremissionscompensationschemes.Somecompaniesareputtingtheirinvestmentstowardcarboncompensation,offsetting,andremovals.In2022,onlyaquarter(25%)ofbuyersviewedoffsettingasahighlyorveryhighlyimpactfulactivity,whichlikelyreflectedtherealizationthatcompensatingforemissionscannotbeseenasasubstituteforreducingvalue-chainemissionsinthebusinesstravelsector.Thisalignswiththecurrent2023survey,whichindicatesthat38%ofrespondentsareincorporatingcarboncreditsintotheiremissionsreductionstrategy.Mostcompaniesarenotprovidingoffsettingasanoptiontotheirtravelersatthepointofsale(71%).18Whatlikelystillstandsinthewayoftravelbuyersconfidentlybudgetingforcarbonoffsetsisthevolatilityofthepriceofcarbonandthelackofdataontheirownbusinesstravelemissions.Thereissomewillingnesstopaymoretocompensateforcarbonemissions,estimatedaround10%.Respondentswereaskedapproximatelyhowmuchmoretheircompanieswouldbewillingtopay,onaverage,tocompensateforemissionsfromemployees’travel.Basedonasampleof494respondentswhoprovidedaresponse,thisaverageis8.6%ofticketprice.1918Questionco-developedwithSouthPoleforJune2023sponsoredwebinarwithGBTA.19ibidWaystravelbuyersarecurrentlypurchasingSAFcertificatesFromairlinesDirectlyfromSAFproducer/retailerThroughtheirTMCByjoiningabuyer’salliance84%16%12%9%19www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Chapter6–RemainingBarriers:JoiningForcestoDriveChangeThebusinesstravelindustrystillfacesnumerousbarrierstoachievingagreenerfuture,butalsorecognizesclearopportunitiesforchange.Highercosts,lackofmeasurementandaccountingstandardsforemissions,andlackofdataandaccesstotransparentinformationwerelistedasthetopthreehurdlestoenactingmoresustainablebusinesstravelpracticesandservices.Meanwhile,harmonizedstandardsonemissionsmeasurement,accounting,reporting,betterandeasiertrackingofdata,andpolicychangesandgovernmentincentivestoscaleupinnovationandtechnologywerenotedasthetopfacilitatorsforchange.Highercostsremainthetopbarriertwoyearsinarow.Clearly,financingthegreenpremiumcontinuestopresentthebiggestchallengeforbothtravelbuyersandsuppliersindecarbonizingtheirprogramsandoperations,with“highercosts”rankingasthenumber-onebarriertwoyearsinarow.Whilebothbuyersandsuppliersarehighlycognizantofthisissue,itisevenmoretop-of-mindforbuyers(61%)thansuppliers(51%).Thismayindicatethatbuyersneedsupportbuildingthecasetosetasidebudgetforsustainabilityintheirprograms.Increasededucationinthisareashouldincludeexamplesofcarbonbudgeting/fees,“returnoninvestment”messaging,andanunderstandingofwhichcarbon-efficientoptionswillactuallysupportcostsavings.[Ilfaut]débloquerdesbudgetspournousaideràfaireletravail.”Freeupbudgetstohelpusdothejob”.–Travelmanagementcompany,Luxembourg20www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Whenconsideringthemainacceleratorstoagreentransition,theindustryrankedpolicychanges/governmentincentivestoscaleupinnovationandtechnology(whichmayincludefinancialincentives)asoneofthetopthreefacilitators.Meanwhile,theindustrydidnotprioritizeinvestmentstohelpscaleupinnovationandtechnologyashighly.Thisindicatesthattheprivatesectorcontinuestolooktowardgovernmenttoprovidefinancialincentivesforthegreentransition,ratherthanacknowledgingthatsustainabilitymustbeasharedinvestment.It’snotjustaboutthedata,buthowthedataismanaged.Lackofdataandaccesstotransparentinformationalsoremainsatthetopofthelistcomparedtolastyear,indicatingthattheindustryneedsabetterflowofsustainabilitymetricsbetweenbuyersandsuppliers.Twonotablebarriersalsorosetothetopthisyear:lackofmeasurementandaccountingstandardsforemissionsandbookingtoolsnotdisplayingsustainabilityfeatures.Thesealsorelatetotheflowofdataandinformationbetweenbuyersandsuppliers,indicating(asstatedearlier)astrongdesiretomaintainconsistentsustainabilitydataandattributesend-to-endthroughthebusinesstravelecosystem.Interestingly,stakeholdersinEuropearefeelingthedatagapsignificantlymorethanthoseinNorthAmerica,whichmightreflectabetterunderstandingofthesolutionsneeded.SixtytwopercentofEuropeansasopposedto45%ofNorthAmericansselectedlackofmeasurementandaccountingstandardsforemissions,and52%ofEuropeansversus33%ofNorthAmericansselectedbookingtoolsnotdisplayingsustainabilityfeaturesasmissingelements.Notsurprisingly,harmonizedstandardsonemissionsmeasurement,accounting,andreporting(60%)andbetter/easiertrackingofdata(50%)werecitedastopfacilitatorsofchange,withbuyersrankingthesesignificantlyhigherthansuppliers.Manybuyersarelookingformoreguidancearoundsustainabilityreporting,asthisisincreasinglybecomingasharedresponsibilitybetweentheirowndepartmentandsustainabilitydepartments.Haveweachievedculturechange?InGBTA’s2022survey,culturechangewithintheindustrytoppedthelistoffacilitatorsofagreentransition.In2023,thisfellbehindthepowerfulcallforfinancialincentivesandharmonizationofdata/reporting.Similarly,competingprioritieswithintraveldepartments,lowlevelsofinterestfromsomeindustrystakeholders,andlackofexecutivesupport/buy-inareatthebottomofthelistofbarriers.Thisbegsthequestion:haveweachievedculturechange?Thereiscertainlyevidencetoindicatethattherehasbeenaparadigmshift,withmoreandmorestakeholderspushingforsustainabilityatalllevels.Thisimpliestheneedforamorenuancedandmatureapproachtosustainabilityeducationandtools.Whilewemustcontinuetomakethecaseforclimateaction,it’salsotimetoharmonizeourtoolboxandmethodologiesandadvancemoresophisticatedpractices.Untilwehaveexcellentreportingthatsayswearemovingtheneedle…companieswilldefaulttocuttingbudgettocontrolCO2.Weneed[theindustry]tooffermorecarbon-efficientoptions,and[reportontheseimpacts]tokeepbudgetshealthyandstillreduceemissions.”–Buyer,USAKeepthediscussiongoing,becauseweareattheearlieststagesofformingamovement.”–Consultant,USA21www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023GBTA’sroleinbringingthebusinesstravelindustrytogethertoleadchangeLastyear,theindustryidentifiedastep-by-stepguideonincorporatingsustainablepractices–orasustainabilitytoolkit–asthenumberonerequesttoGBTA.GBTAdeliveredonthisrequestinAugust2022,byreleasinganonlinetoolkittoguidetravelmanagersontheirownsustainabilityjourneysandtoempowerthemtopartnerwithcolleagues,employees,andsuppliersinreducingtheclimateimpactofbusinesstravel.20Thisyear,GBTAisdivingevendeepertoprovidepracticaltoolsandguidanceforthebusinesstravelindustry.Forthepasttwoyears,theindustryhasrankedprocurementtools(suppliermatrixandscorecard)andsharingofbestpracticesastwotangiblethingsthatGBTAcanprovidetomovetheneedle.AsdiscussedinChapter4,GBTAispreparingtoreleaseitsSupplierSustainabilityMatrix,whichwillincludestandardizedquestionsforfourverticals(accommodations,aviation,rail,andgroundtransport)toaddressthisgap.Furthermore,anewSustainableBusinessTravelManagementcourse,slatedforFall2023,willincludecasestudiesandbestpracticesfromleadingcompaniesacrosstheglobe,sothatbusinesstravelstakeholdersareinspiredtotakeactionintheirownprograms.20GBTASustainabilityToolkit:https://hub.gbta.org/sustainability-toolkitToolsandactivitiesrequestedbyrespondentstosupporttheirsustainabilityjourneyCasestudiesandbestpracticesHarmonizedprocurementcriteriaCourseand/orcertificateprogramSustainabilityindexandresearchBusinessTravelPledgeIndustryRoadmaptoreachNetZeroGovernmentRelationsPublicationofcompanyclimategoals22www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023Inaddition,viathisreport,GBTAhaskick-startedanindextobenchmarkthestateofclimateactioninthebusinesstravelsectorannually.Thiswasenthusiasticallyrequestedinboth2022and2023byGBTAmembersandindustrystakeholders.Notably,a2050roadmapfortheentirebusinesstravelindustrywasoneofthetopthreerequestsfromsuppliers(51%).Thisindicatesthatsuppliersarelookingforacollaborativeframeworktodecarbonizeoperations.Forexample,memberssuggestGBTA“workwiththeindustrytosetrealistic,transparenttargetswithoutlines…ofactionplanstoachievethosetargets,versuspieinthesky.”(Quotefrombuyer,USA).GBTAisalsoconsideringthisasanextstepinanefforttoguidethebusinesstravelindustryinitsclimatejourney.ThewayforwardMakingurgentprogressonclimateactionwillrequiresystemchangesfromallsidesoftheindustry.It’snolongersufficienttoworkinsilos.Buyers,TMCs,airlines,hotels,carrentalcompanies,OBTs,andothersneedtoworktogethertounderstandhowtocreateacatalyzingenvironmentfordecarbonization.Onlythroughthiscollaborationwillwebeabletocreatebetterstandards,clearerdata,andastrongerdemandsignaltodriveinvestment.Wehopeyouwillusethisreporttobenchmarkyourcompany’spractices,sparknewideas,andspurtheactionneededtocreatethegreenerfutureforbusinesstravelthatweallneed.Itisourambitionthatbusinesstravelcan,throughitscollectiveinvestment,solutions,procurement,andcollaboration,rescuetheprospectsforahealthyandprosperoustravelindustryforalltravelerslongintothefuture.Theentireecosystemofbusinesstravelneedstocomealongwithusonthisjourney.”–Buyer,USA23www.gbtafoundation.orgGBTAClimateActionReport2023AbouttheGBTAFoundationTheGBTAFoundationisthenon-profit,cause-ledarmoftheGlobalBusinessTravelAssociation(GBTA),theworld’spremierbusinesstravelandmeetingstradeorganizationserving7,600+membersandadvocatingforthe$1.158trillionglobalbusinesstravelandmeetingsindustry.TheFoundationwasre-launchedinJuly2022tochampionactionandpositiveimpactfromwithintheglobalbusinesstravelindustrytowardcreatingabetterfutureforpeopleandtheplanet.ItisaU.S.InternalRevenueService-designated501(c)3legalentitythatoperatesseparatelyfrombutundertheauspicesofthe501(c)6tradeassociation.Learnmoreormakeatax-deductiblecontributiontoourmissionatGBTAFoundation.org.AboutGBTA’sSustainabilityInitiativeTheGBTAFoundation’sSustainabilityInitiativeaimstodrivecross-industrycollaborationamongtheusersandprovidersofcorporatetravelservices–includingaviation,hospitality,groundtransport,travelmanagementanddistribution—tosupportthedeploymentofsolutionsthathelptomanageandreducecarbonemissionsfromtravel.Abigpartofthisworkincludesadvocacy,education,andcapacity-buildingeffortstoempowerbusinesstravelprofessionalstoadvanceclimate-consciousbusinesstravelprograms.Formoreguidanceabouthowtomanageandminimizetheclimateimpactofyourorganization’sbusinesstravel,pleaseconsultthe12modulesofGBTA’sSustainabilityToolkitandthereportonManagingEmissionsfromBusinessTravelPrograms:OverviewofCorporateBestPractices.GBTA’sSustainabilityinitiative,includingthisreport,wasmadepossiblebythecorporatedonationsandsupportfromtheFoundation’ssustainabilitypartners.FormoreinformationortohelpsupporttheGBTAFoundationandourSustainabilityInitiative,reachouttosustainability@gbta.org.
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