Study aims to support efforts to transform practices
The GBTA Foundation, the cause-led arm of GBTA, unveiled its Sustainable Business Travel Transition Pathway at the GBTA Sustainability Summit, which gathered over 100 travel leaders and sustainability experts from all sides of the industry in Washington DC.
Business travel is a $1.48 trillion industry, playing a critical role in the global economy, according to the study. However, it also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key focus area for corporate sustainability efforts. As regulations change and companies commit to emissions reduction goals, said the study, “integrating sustainability into business travel is no longer optional — it’s a necessity.”
The transition pathway, developed in collaboration with Accenture, aims to support efforts by organizations of all sizes and in all geographies to start, advance and accelerate their sustainable travel practices. It will also directly help companies participating in the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge improve their travel program’s maturity levels and sustainability score with a 2030 horizon.
Delphine Millot, senior vice president, advocacy and sustainability, GBTA, and managing director at the GBTA Foundation, said, “Even in times of economic uncertainty and a changing political climate, one thing remains certain: sustainable business is good business.” She added, “The transition pathway provides companies across the world with the insights and tools needed to embed sustainable travel practices at every level of their operating model.”
The transition pathway will provide:
- Progress tracking: GBTA will track progress by inviting companies to participate in the Acceleration Challenge global assessment for a limited period every year. The 2025 global assessment is now open until Sept. 23, 2025. All companies that rely on business travel are invited to participate.
- Companies spotlight: In addition to revealing the global results in November 2025, GBTA Foundation will spotlight regional leaders and changemakers in a new sustainability awards program.
- Additional tools: GBTA Foundation will continue to provide complimentary tools and resources to help companies in their journey, including SAF purchasing guidance and case studies, sustainable procurement training and supplier sustainability scorecards to be released in the coming months.
