TUI Travel has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 6% by 2013/14.
The vertically integrated tour operator made the pledge in its newly-released 2008 Sustainable Development Report, which outlines its progress in both green and responsible tourism.
The report also states there was an 8% reduction in the company’s carbon footprint in 2007/08 compared to 2006/07, while 87% of its businesses are now supporting charitable programmes in destinations.
It claims TUI Travel’s airlines are “markedly” more efficient than low-cost carriers and scheduled airlines, and adds that TUI UK and its customers have raised £1.7 million for the environmental charity World Care Fund.
TUI Travel chief executive Peter Long said: “We aspire to lead in sustainable development within the leisure travel industry and want to develop this in the wider marketplace.
“In the long term, we believe this goal will build shareholder value for TUI Travel, and contribute to us operating a strong business now and in the future.”
Forum for the Future director Stephanie Draper added: “We’re greatly encouraged that in the current economic climate TUI Travel has strengthened its commitment to sustainable tourism, and rightly so.
“Challenges such as climate change and resource constraints will define the sector in the next decade, so taking action to address them remains critical strategically.
“We congratulate TUI Travel on what it has done so far and urge the company to respond to this urgency and keep its foot on the accelerator towards a sustainable future.”