Amid an evolving corporate travel landscape, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a strategic imperative. With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations taking center stage, large companies are reimagining their operations to align with a more sustainable future.
At Amadeus, we're committed to understanding how technology intersects with these sustainability goals, especially when it comes to travel. Our recentsurvey from ESG decision-makers explored the topic, throwing light on the priorities and challenges faced by decision makers' journeys towards sustainability, as well as the pivotal role technology plays in achieving emerging objectives.
According to our findings, creating a plan or roadmap related to sustainability for the entire company ranks as a top priority for 22% of ESG decision-makers at large corporations, closely followed by objectives like reducing carbon emissions (20%) and prioritizing health, safety, and wellbeing (21%).
The findings from our research assure us that we are on the right track to support corporations in addressing the impact of travel on the environment.
Technology leading the way in corporate ESG
Technology is emerging as a powerful ally in the pursuit of sustainability goals, and ESG decision-makers at large corporations increasingly recognize the potential of new solutions to drive meaningful change across various facets of corporate travel.
As a driver of technological innovation, we indeed offer solutions tailored to address the challenges faced by corporations in meeting their sustainability objectives.
The rise of low-carbon energy
Technologies facilitating the transition to low-carbon energy are considered a top priority by 36% of our survey. 30% of corporate ESG decision-makers also highlighted the significance of technologies that support the development of alternative sustainable fuels. Working with partners such as future sustainable aviation fuel providerCAPHENIA showcases Amadeus’ commitment in this area, paving the way for innovative solutions to reduce carbon impact.
Generative AI at the forefront
In an exciting new frontier for technology, the Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) interface of Cytric Easy will outline more sustainable options for every step of the customer journey. Embedded in Microsoft Teams for seamless integration, travelers are guided towards more sustainable options. With 34% of corporate ESG decision-makers emphasizing the need for Generative AI interfaces guiding sustainable travel choices, this technology can play an important role in empowering corporations to make decisions taking into account their impact on sustainability.
Informing and encouraging sustainable choices
Corporations prioritize offering the choice to prioritize sustainable travel options to their employees, recognizing the importance of reducing environmental impact. Cytric Easy by Amadeus provides a comprehensive answer, incorporating features such as carbon calculations, flights and rail side-by-side comparison, as well as the availability of hybrid or electric car rentals.
Cytric Easy also offers clear, actionable CO2 emission reports, to track progress and identify areas for improvement. By streamlining expense management processes, such as digital receipt submissions, we further minimize waste and enhance sustainability efforts.
Furthermore, Cytric Easy utilizes theHRS Green Stay label to allow corporations to select from a curated list of sustainable hotels, fostering a culture of more responsible travel.
Overcoming barriers
Transparency surrounding travel and expense policies is paramount for empowering employees to make informed decisions aligned with corporate sustainability goals. Amadeus research found that 38% of respondents cited lack of transparency for employees around travel and expense policies as a barrier. Amadeus addresses this challenge through the Personal Dashboard display, offering visibility on key metrics such as CO2 emissions, travel expenditure, and nights spent in hotels. This transparency enables employees to make choices that support company objectives while mitigating impact on the environment.
Similarly, 38% of ESG decision-makers stated that lack of clarity on sustainability objectives can hinder progress towards corporate sustainability goals. We have worked to introduce gamification elements within our solutions to incentivize and encourage more sustainable choices among employees. By aligning gamification strategies with company sustainability goals, corporations can cultivate a culture of engagement and commitment towards environmental goals. For example, also integrated in our travel booking solution,Eco.mio uses a gamification mechanism to incentivize users to prioritize more sustainable travel options.
Concerns over increased costs associated with sustainability initiatives are common among corporations, with 36% listing this as a potential obstacle. Here, we have worked to address this challenge through features like Share My Transfer, which not only can reduce expenses, but also lowers CO2 emissions. By incentivizing sustainable behaviors and leveraging technology to optimize costs, we can empower corporations to achieve their sustainability objectives.
Positive social impact
Accessibility is a critical aspect of corporate social sustainability, and we are committed to continuously working towardsWeb Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1 AA) compliance for our B2C solutions. These guidelines provide recommendations for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities, which include improvements to colors, fonts, scalability, keyboard navigation, screen readers and feedback applications.
We recognize the importance of traveler well-being and offer tools to track nights spent away from home, allowing users to prioritize their personal needs.
Within Amadeus Mobile Messenger, features such as gender-neutral signifiers and safety information for LGBTQI+ travelers enhance the overall travel experience and promote social sustainable goals.
Looking ahead
My colleagueGraeme Milne
, Director Sales and Account Management UK, Ireland & Nordics at Amadeus Cytric Solutions, says:
“We recognize the critical role technology plays in addressing the sustainability challenges faced by corporations at Amadeus. Our solutions are designed to empower organizations to make informed decisions, enabling them to mitigate environmental impact, and drive positive change across their operations.”
As the travel industry approaches 2050, which is the year by which IATA airlines have committed to achieve net zero carbon through the“Fly Net Zero” initiative , the focus on ESG initiatives will only grow stronger. Companies worldwide are shifting from a period of intention to action.Microsoft, for example, recently pledged to achieve carbon negativity by 2030 through the achievement of zero waste production and positive water usage and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions produced since its founding by 2050, and at Amadeus we are committed to net zero by 2025 related to scope 1 and scope 2. This commitment to sustainability underscores a global movement towards sustainability objectives.
TheCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSDR) , which phases in from January 2024, aims to elevate sustainability reporting to the same standard as financial reporting, which means that CO2 reporting like that within Cytric Easy will become even more crucial for corporations to meet greater demand for data and transparency around their carbon emissions.
Our research indicates that large corporations are optimistic about implementing changes to meet their ESG objectives, with 43% of large companies planning to spend more on meeting ESG objectives than they did in 2022. By implementing the right technology and focusing on collaboration, we can address environmental, social, and governance challenges effectively. Through transparency and collective effort, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Understanding the priorities and challenges of corporate ESG decision-makers is crucial for navigating the road ahead. By working together, providing support, and promoting awareness of more sustainable practices, we can ensure that travel contributes positively to our world.
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