BTA First to Benchmark Business Travel
The BTA is taking the initiative for the business travel industry to fulfil the United Nation’s (UN) COP26 goals with a trailblazing 3-step environmental, social and governance (ESG) campaign, launching in January 2022.
The BTA is taking the initiative for the business travel industry to fulfil the United Nation’s (UN) COP26 goals with a trailblazing 3-step environmental, social and governance (ESG) campaign, launching in January 2022.
The first step will be to benchmark the industry’s current position and investigate its future expected activities against the UN’s 17 “Sustainable Development” goals.
In-depth interviews with senior stakeholders across the industry will underpin the campaign, resulting in a major report that identifies the specific areas needing prioritised sustainable development across the entire business travel supply chain.
CEO of the BTA, Clive Wratten said: “The entire industry needs to view ESG through a wider lens. We have always known that carbon offsetting alone is not enough, and that more must be done internationally and domestically to ensure that sustainability is intrinsically weaved throughout the travel supply chain from flights, to rail, to hotels and cars."
“This campaign is a critical first step in our pathway to net zero, providing us with a clear direction to make this goal a reality, as business travel once again becomes a valued part of normality.”
The BTA’s new initiative will help align the industry’s sustainable activity with the UN’s primary climate goal of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5C, to tangibly reduce the business traveller’s personal environmental impact with wider global benefits.
Diversity, equality and inclusion will also be targeted by the campaign to holistically support “Generation BTA” and the wider BTA network, enhancing the BTA Diploma in Business Travel and apprenticeship schemes.
From Spring 2022, later steps will include a nationwide tour that gains external expertise with a focus on pinpointed action areas, resulting in a “Roadmap to a Sustainable Future” to be launched by the Autumn.
The announcement comes as the COP26 drew to a close on the 12th of November.
About the UN’s sustainable development goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership.
For more information on the 17 goals please visit: https://sdgs.un.org/goals.