The Travel Corporation (TTC) is urging companies to sign up to verified, science-based emissions targets – and is sharing ideas and practical examples to help.
TTC, which operates 40 brands including Trafalgar and Insight Vacations, submitted its own targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in May.
It hopes to announce soon that it has been verified, which would make TTC the largest privately held travel company to have done so.
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Chief sustainability officer Shannon Guihan (pictured) said: “It is a big process and a big commitment. But we will see a sea change in businesses signing up.”
Also in May, TTC issued an report on its five-year sustainability strategy, detailing progress on 11 goals launched in September 2020 – covering issues such as climate action, food, waste, wildlife and diversity.
Guihan is keen to share practical examples with others in the sector and urged them to take action now instead of being daunted by the eventuality of having to measure emissions.
“Rather than ‘should we’, we need to shift to ‘how’,” she said. “We’d like to see things happen more quickly. You don’t have to be side-swiped with targets and measuring before beginning to implement changes.”
She said TTC is “doubling down” on efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Practically, this means reducing energy use in Red Carnation Hotels and shifting to no-emission or low-emission vehicles. It is working with Visit Scotland on a project targeting emissions from ground transport and food production, and with Delft University of Technology on technology for river cruise ships.
“Some coaches have solar panels so we can run AC units when they’re not moving,” she said. “Hotels are using AI to identify food waste, such as garnishes or oversized portions.”
She urged agents to share information with clients, noting that a recent marketing email including the Make Travel Matter checklist for travellers was one of the most-read – and resulted in bookings.
The Treadright checklist can be white-labelled so agents can use it for their customers. TTC is also adding more Make Travel Matter experiences, generating positive social or environmental impacts.