Tui Group is having its emission cut targets scientifically verified as it moves away from offsetting.
Emission reduction targets have been set for the European travel giant’s airlines, cruise businesses and hotels.
Accreditation of the targets is expected by the end of the year.
The aim is to confirm that “ambitious” 2030 emission reduction targets set by Tui are based on the latest findings of climate science and are in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Non-governmental organisation Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) will validate the targets. More than 3,000 companies worldwide are already working with the initiative.
Tui has set the goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its operations by 2050 at the latest.
‘Emissions roadmaps’ for its airline, cruise and hotel business areas are seen as an important step towards the target as they represent 99% of the group’s emissions.
Detailed studies have been carried out and action plans developed for each segment to realise “significant reductions” in emissions by 2030.
Plans include the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the expansion of renewable energy sources for power generation in hotels and the latest technologies to reduce cruise ship emissions.
The plans are part of a comprehensive Tui Group sustainability agenda, which will be presented shortly, according to the company.
Chief executive-elect Sebastian Ebel said: “We want to set the standard for sustainability in the market and live up to our commitment as market leader.
“Our focus on emissions is clear: We are committed to avoiding and reducing emissions rather than offsetting them.
“Our airlines are already among the most carbon-efficient in the world. We have continuously invested in new aircraft and today fly a very modern and carbon-efficient fleet by German, European and international standards.
“Our cruise ships use the latest technologies to reduce emissions. We are operating solar power systems in some of our hotels. What is clear, is that we want to and we will speed up and do more.
“I am convinced that sustainable transformation is not a cost factor, but that sustainability pays off – for society, for the environment and for business.
“We will also motivate our partners and provide more incentives to invest in sustainability, for example in the construction and conversion of hotels, transfers at holiday destinations, for the development of excursions or the purchase of food from local producers.”