Sabre Corporation has partnered with Google to utilize the Travel Impact Model (TIM) for the inaugural assessment of historical emissions from business travel. This collaborative pilot initiative involved a team of analysts from Google employing Sabre’s 2023 business travel data to evaluate corporate travel emissions at the flight level and propose strategies for future reductions. The insights gained from this project will enable Sabre to establish realistic reduction targets and enhance travel efficiency.
“Assuming accountability for our emissions, pursuing the most precise methodologies, and exploring innovative approaches to emission reduction alongside conventional methods are our primary objectives,” stated Jessica Matthias, Global Sustainability Director at Sabre. “We were thrilled to collaborate with our partners at Google to expand the TIM to encompass past emissions, and it is exhilarating to be the first organization to apply the TIM for value chain emissions disclosure. We aspire that this initiative will provide valuable insights to assist other companies in minimizing their business travel emissions.”
Google analysts examined TIM calculations for each flight and proposed CO2e reductions based on alternative flight choices. The analysis indicated that targeting the most polluting routes could lead to substantial improvements. For example, long-haul flights were highlighted as a significant area for enhancement. The TIM identified lower-emission same-day alternatives for two-thirds of the flights, including popular routes such as Dallas-London and Dallas-Frankfurt, with a potential emission reduction of up to 10%.
“Companies are increasingly required to comprehend and disclose the effects of their business travel, and we are pleased to collaborate with Sabre to establish the TIM as a benchmark for real-world corporate travel emissions reporting,” stated Sebnem Erzan, Global Head of Travel Sustainability Partnerships at Google. “Our sustained joint efforts, combined with Sabre’s detailed dataset, made them the clear choice for this pilot initiative.”
In 2023, business travel accounted for nearly 7% of Sabre’s carbon emissions. The company is now positioned to integrate these insights into its travel policy to align with its reduction objectives. Importantly, Sabre’s corporate online booking platform, GetThere, incorporated TIM emissions data last year, allowing corporate travel bookers, including Sabre employees, to access precise carbon estimates for their flights during the booking process. Sabre plans to investigate the possibility of integrating this feature into its agency and corporate booking tools, enabling customers to view more accurate emissions estimates based on their previous bookings.
Although business travelers constitute only 12% of global airline passengers, they contribute a disproportionately high share of emissions; for instance, in Europe, they are responsible for approximately 30 percent. Many organizations are prioritizing the reduction of travel-related emissions, particularly in light of regulations such as the forthcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Scope 3 emissions are often complex and difficult to measure accurately and consistently, with current methodologies for Scope 3 – Category 6 (Business Travel) lacking the necessary granularity.
The Travel Impact Model is currently utilized to present emissions estimates on various platforms, including Sabre, Google Flights, Booking.com, Expedia, Skyscanner, and others affiliated with the Travalyst coalition. In the near future, it will be accessible at no cost to any organization looking for a comprehensive approach to assess and report business travel emissions. The TIM provides a detailed methodology, enabling companies to establish effective travel policies that promote the selection of lower-emission flights while still meeting travel requirements.