As World Environment Day, June 5, approaches, it’s worth recognizing sustainable leadership throughout the business travel industry.

Which top players are setting new standards, and which might inspire you to set new standards of your own?

It’s no secret. The aviation sector is responsible for a large amount of the carbon emissions that result from business travel. However, more and more airlines are realizing that they can make adjustments to their operations that change this current reality for good. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, carbon emissions from commercial flights will triple by 2050. However, these emissions could be reduced by 85% through demand management, tech advances and the broader use of biofuels. 

What are some of the greatest recent examples of sustainable leadership in the business travel sector, particularly in aviation? Here are a few of the top headlines.

Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic Launch the Sustainable Airlines Initiative

In one of the most recent shows of sustainable leadership, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic announced the launch of the Sustainable Airlines Initiative in partnership with EcoVadis in March 2024. The initiative will specifically work to improve ESG performance across value chains.

Of the initiative, senior vice president of procurement at Air France-KLM, Jurriaan Lombaers, said, “Achieving Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050 is critical for our future, and for this, the full participation of the entire supply chain is necessary. On top of fleet renewal, the incorporation of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and operational measures, SAI is one of our concrete sustainability initiatives.”

France Bans Short-Haul Flights

We can all probably think of instances wherein we might’ve taken a train journey to get from Point A to Point B for a business trip. However, instead, we opted for a flight, whether due to price, convenience or time savings.

Last year, though, the country of France took sustainable leadership to a new level and made decisions like this less possible. The country enacted a ban on domestic flights that could be replaced by a train journey of 2.5 hours or less. France’s transport minister said the ban was an “essential step” in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (via Smithsonian Magazine).

A similar ban could be beneficial throughout Europe overall, Smithsonian Magazine seems to suggest. The publication noted that 17 of the 20 busiest air routes in Europe are less than 434 miles long. This is a distance easily traversed via high-speed rail.

A Norwegian Airline Plans to Go Emissions-Free

Norway itself has long held lofty sustainable aviation goals. As BBC reported in 2018, the country, at the time, wanted to switch all of its aircraft serving domestic routes to electric aircraft by 2040. As of earlier this year, according to a Politico article, that’s still the country’s plan. However, there are hurdles, such as the overall lack of electric planes.

That, though, hasn’t stopped one Norwegian airline. Widerøe is a domestic airline that plans to become the world’s first fully emissions-free airline. This will be done via partnerships with aerospace companies that will eventually roll out the airline’s electric aircraft fleet. The airline does, though, recognize existing challenges. It is taking the necessary steps to be more sustainable today, such as modifying existing aircraft, extending aircraft lifespan and more.

Etihad Sets its Sights on Nearer Targets

When considering many airlines’ sustainability initiatives and goals, most have simply adopted the far-off date of 2050 as their target for net-zero emissions, which was originally proposed by the United Nations. However, Etihad, while still aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, is also looking at nearer deadlines and making recent changes accordingly.

Last year, the airline announced a new partnership with Twelve, a carbon transformation company. The partnership will further the aviation industry’s switch to sustainable aviation fuel. Twelve’s unique fuel formula reduces lifecycle emissions by 90%.

As for that nearer deadline? It’s coming up just next year, as Etihad has promised to divert 75% of its waste from landfills by 2025. 

Cathay Pacific is Leading by Example

In one of the most recent examples of sustainable leadership in aviation, in April of this year, Sustainability Magazine reported that Cathay Pacific aims to “lead by example” in sustainable aviation. As such, it has tweaked some of its sustainability goals for a greater, quicker impact.

Now, the airline wants to improve carbon intensity by 12% by 2030. It also wants to reduce cabin waste by 30% by 2030. Both goals are based on 2019 waste and carbon intensity levels). By 2025, the airline also wants to decrease passenger-facing, single-use plastics from 7.7 pieces per passenger to 1.5 pieces per passenger. The airline has even shifted its in-flight dining to become more sustainable. Nearly 75% of the seafood served on its flights in 2023 came from certified sustainable and traceable sources.

Qantas Invests Millions

Often, it’s easy to think of “sustainable leadership” and only think of environmental factors. But, ESG initiatives bring to light the social considerations of sustainability as well. A truly sustainable organization looks at how its actions are impacting its communities, not just the environment.

In one recent example, Qantas announced the continuation of its regional grants program in March of this year. The program invests millions into local communities in Australia. It provides support for organizations that promote a range of causes, including food insecurity, lack of access to health services, and others.

In a more typical show of sustainability leadership, Qantas also announced in March a new partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. The partnership results in $10 million committed to reef restoration and research over the next decade.

Need More?

Need more insights into business sustainability trends? Or maybe tips or advice as to how to increase your own organization’s sustainability as you reconsider how your business travel impacts the planet and communities your Travelers visit on a regular basis? The JTB Business Travel Waypoint blog is your one-stop for the latest on all this and more.