Green initiatives have helped Tui Travel make around £16 million in savings over two years between 2008 and 2010.
The travel giant revealed that 92% of its businesses have developed and are implementing sustainable development strategies.
The figures were disclosed in the group’s 2010 sustainable development report which added that new group-wide guidelines had been published for environmental sustainability in hotels.
It also confirmed that in-house airline Thomson Airways aims to be the first UK airline to fly on sustainable biofuels.
The airline will operate the UK’s first sustainable biofuel flight from Birmingham to Palma next Thursday (July 28) once stringent testing processes have been completed and final safety clearance is received.
The report targets a 6% cut the group’s airlines’ direct carbon emissions by 2013/14 as it hopes to introduce the fuel efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner into its fleet next year.
In agency branches, head offices and at aircraft hangars, UK brands Thomson and First Choice claim to be making “significant headway” in increasing recycling, reducing energy and water waste by implementing new water saving taps, automatic PC shutdown software and sensors to help stop lights being left on unnecessarily.
The company has also pledged to work with partners to make “measurable improvements” to local livelihoods and environmental protection in the destinations it covers.
Sustainable development director Jane Ashton said: “Being more sustainable supports the long-term success of our tourism business. It’s as simple as that.
“Whilst we have made significant progress we certainly recognise we have a long way to go and there are challenges involved. But the potential benefits are significant – for our business, destinations and the environment.’’
Chief executive Peter Long said: “Sustainability remains a serious business issue for us, in fact now more than ever.
“I am very pleased with the progress we have made and that our businesses and brands are making sustainability an integral part of their processes and performance.
“We are driving to continuously improve the environmental efficiency of the group.”