How does technology help drive sustainability goals in the mobility sector?
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When it comes to tourism, we are more reliant on natural resources than we often understand.
It's no surprise, then, that sustainability continues to be high on the travel industry's agenda, with companies taking steps to integrate more environmentally conscious activities into their operations. For example, significant changes are reshaping the mobility landscape, from the introduction of speed limiters in new vehicles to the emergence of sustainable fuels and electric vehicles (EVs). Zero emission mandates are driving changes in vehicle production and fleet management decisions.
On the policy front, initiatives like the European Commission'sannouncement
to phase out CO2-emitting engines by 2035 have increased interest in alternative energy sources and sustainability practices. At the same time, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD
) is introducing strict sustainability reporting requirements for companies on topics such as climate change, business conduct, resource use, pollution and biodiversity.
In the travel industry, employees, travelers, and other industry stakeholders are increasingly putting pressure on businesses to adopt more environmentally responsible practices.
Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment, but extends to how companies treat their people, govern their organizations, and contribute to their communities. Beyond regulatory and stakeholder expectations, there is also a strong business case for prioritizing sustainability, with benefits ranging from improved employee and customer satisfaction to futureproofing the organization and efficiency gains
Where are we today?
Against this backdrop, we conducted a survey of 90 senior decision-makers in the mobility sector across nine markets (UK, US, France, Germany, India, Singapore, Australia, Mexico and Spain) as part of a wider, cross-industry project. The purpose of the survey was to understand how these industry leaders perceive the role of technology in addressing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges, their investment priorities, and the key barriers they face in achieving their sustainability targets.
The research found that mobility providers are prioritizing sustainability and increasing investment in ESG initiatives. Some 69 per cent of mobility providers planned to invest more in 2024 than they did in 2022. Additionally, almost three-quarters of mobility providers have a step-by-step plan in place to achieve their ESG targets.
In the near term, mobility providers are focused on improving the energy efficiency of their assets and operations. This includes transitioning vehicle fleets to electric models, optimizing route planning to reduce emissions, and investing in technologies that enable more sustainable operations. Our survey found that 46 per cent of mobility providers expect to have fully electric vehicle fleets within the next five to ten years.
Enabling customers to make more sustainable travel choices is also a focus. 46 per cent of senior mobility decision-makers said that empowering customers to reduce their environmental impact can have the biggest positive effect. This points to the need for clear, transparent information that helps travelers understand the environmental impact of different transportation options and make informed decisions. The Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards (ACRISS) is taking steps to address this by developing public guidelines for EV rentals, helping customers understand charging infrastructure, top speeds, acceleration, and specific rental requirements
The role of technology
Technology has an important role to play in achieving these goals. Some 78 per cent of mobility decision-makers believe technology will be critical in helping them meet their sustainability targets. Specific areas where technology is seen as a key enabler include sustainable procurement and sourcing, which was cited by 44 per cent of respondents, as well as improving accessibility and inclusive travel experiences, identified by 51 per cent of the decision-makers surveyed.
Amadeus Mobility
can support these advancements through its comprehensive digital platform and innovative solutions.
Investment priorities
Investment in ESG initiatives will only continue to intensify as the travel industry fast approaches 2050 and its net zero goals.
According toACRISS
, the industry, it is seeing promising developments in sustainable fuels as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels, with major manufacturers investing in research and development. While currently costly, these alternatives could provide a complementary solution alongside EVs in the journey toward net zero.What is clear from this research is that overall mobility providers are feeling positive about the changes that can be implemented to help reach their objectives. Across all three areas - environment, social and governance facilitating the implementation of accessibility features there are clear issues that can be addressed through theintelligent application of technology and further collaboration and transparency across the industry.
By understanding the priorities, challenges and sentiment of ESG decision-makers in mobility providers today, we can better prepare for the future.
By helping our partners to calculate carbon emissions, making environmental impact mitigation easier, and by empowering travelers with more choice, we can help ensure travel continues to make a positive contribution to our world.
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