The newly launched Concur Travel has positioned itself as the pioneer among online booking tools by integrating emissions calculations assured to the ISO 14083 standard. This enhancement, developed in collaboration with Thrust Carbon, is designed to provide users with precise and reliable emissions data during the booking process, addressing prior inconsistencies related to emissions calculations.
The ISO 14083 standard was introduced to mitigate confusion stemming from varying emissions calculation methods prevalent across industries. This globally recognised framework facilitates the calculation of greenhouse gas emissions across multiple transport modalities, including air travel, rail, car transport, and freight services. By standardising methodologies, ISO 14083 equips organisations with trustworthy data that can bolster their compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly as these become increasingly stringent in the wake of climate initiatives.
Moving forward, significant regulatory frameworks such as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive will impose emissions reporting obligations on over 50,000 companies globally from 2025. Additionally, the proposed Count Emissions EU initiative aims to compel transport providers to disclose emissions data at the point of sale, establishing a clear demand for transparency in emissions reporting.
Charlie Sultan, President of Concur Travel at SAP Concur, emphasised the importance of sustainability in contemporary business practices, saying, "At SAP Concur we understand that sustainability is no longer a 'nice to have' but rather a business imperative. By becoming the first online booking tool to integrate emissions calculations tied to the ISO 14083 standard, we're empowering our customers with the accurate and consistent data needed to make informed decisions and for reporting." Sultan further noted their partnership with Thrust Carbon, which contributes to advancing sustainable travel innovation and assisting businesses in navigating emerging regulations.
Through its partnership with Thrust Carbon, Concur Travel can now provide ISO 14083-assured emissions data directly at the booking stage, thereby offering customers reliable sustainability metrics that adhere to recognised international standards. Thrust Carbon utilises a “multi-methodology” approach to emissions calculations, incorporating real-world variables such as airspace closures into their assessments. They have also developed a dedicated ISO-compliant formula to guarantee adherence to ISO 14083 requirements, including standardised calculations for air travel.
This capability is currently available to new users of Concur Travel. By accessing ISO-assured emissions data, these users are better equipped to make informed, consistent sustainability decisions. Kit Aspen, founder of Thrust Carbon, expressed his commitment to sustainable developments in the travel sector, stating, "The travel industry is evolving rapidly, and we are working hard to make sure it evolves sustainably. ISO 14083 unites our industry under a single rigorous standard, which allows us to reduce uncertainty, increase consistency, and focus on the push to net-zero."
The integration of ISO 14083's standards is critical as businesses confront the complexities of compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. Thrust Carbon offers comprehensive reporting functionalities that ensure the emissions data available at the time of booking aligns with information used in official reports. This cohesion simplifies the reporting process, enabling organisations to make more informed decisions regarding their sustainability strategies.
Work conducted by the Global Business Travel Association's 2024 Sustainability Benchmark revealed that corporate travel emissions reduction initiatives were evaluated across various sectors, with results indicating an average sustainability maturity score of just 1.3 on a scale where 0 signifies no action and 5 represents best practices. These findings highlight the pressing need for decisive action on corporate climate commitments and reinforce the importance of adopting clear, enforceable standards like ISO 14083.
The introduction of ISO 14083-assured data in Concur Travel presents a significant opportunity for businesses to expertly navigate a complex regulatory landscape, confident that their emissions data meets exceptional standards. This collaboration between Concur Travel and Thrust Carbon not only elevates the quality of emissions reporting but also supports organisations in pursuing their sustainability goals earnestly and effectively.
Source: Noah Wire Services