British Airways and Amadeus are the
latest travel companies to announce new efforts to address sustainability.
The airline is partnering with
Norway-based startup Chooose to create a new platform where customers can
calculate the carbon emissions of their flights and purchase sustainable
aviation fuel or carbon offsets.
The new tool, dubbed CO2llaborate,
is an update to the airline’s existing carbon offset solution that it says
offers more precise emissions calculations and more choice for customers.
The new platform also
has a dedicated solution for corporate customers to measure, reduce and manage
the carbon emissions associated with their employees’ travel for business.
The airline has a goal
of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Along with these new customer-facing
solutions, the company says it is flying more fuel-efficient aircraft, funding
verified carbon offset projects, investing in the development of more
sustainable aviation fuel and considering new technologies such as zero
emissions hydrogen-powered aircraft and carbon capture technology.
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“We know that many of our
customers want to fly with sustainability in mind and while we work on
delivering our own short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to achieve net
zero emissions by 2050, we know many of our customers want to take action today
too,” says Carrie Harris, British Airways’ director of sustainability.
“This new CO2allobarate
platform further empowers our customers to make sustainable choices when flying
with us. We look forward to working with Chooose to evolve the platform as we
continue to drive the decarbonization of our industry.”
Last week Booking.com
also announced it is working with Chooose to add information and options
about climate impacts during the booking process.
And Amadeus – which made an investment
in Chooose in July through its Amadeus Ventures unit – is the newest member
of the Travalyst coalition, the not-for-profit organization established by Prince
Harry.
Amadeus – along with coalition members Booking.com, Expedia Group,
Google, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, Trip.com Group and Visa – are working with
Travalyst to develop and implement a framework and methodology for
sustainability reporting.
“Amadeus is an important partner for us strategically
and an ideal company to join the coalition at this stage in our journey,” says Sally
Davey, Travalyst CEO.
“The partnership with Amadeus brings us significant reach within
the travel industry and agent community, allowing us to embed our strategy and
frameworks more deeply. This is going to be a significant step forward, making
it easier for the industry and its consumers to bring sustainable travel into
the mainstream.”
In
September, Expedia Group announced a new global social impact and
sustainability strategy as component of its Open World platform.