ZERO – the travel business and the environment

As ZERO is a monthly subscription report, the following is not the current edition.

Expedia greenwashing?

Greenwashing?

Two reports, on Expedia and WTTC, on their EV news. As much of their news is stated in platitudes, it is difficult to determine precisely what they are doing for the EV. Nevertheless, we report their statements.

[] The US-based Expedia Group has introduced a sustainability strategy. This includes:

-Launching ‘Open World’, a platform to (show? list? Expedia uses ‘encompass’) ‘traveller experience, community engagement, environmental impact’. Note 1. We are not sure what these mean in specific terms.

-‘Inclusive pathways’, to ensure travellers feel ‘safe, welcomed, respected in the travel ecosystem’. Note 2. We are not sure how this is related to ‘sustainability’.

-‘Striving to empower small businesses and support those focused on diversifying the industry. Note 2.

-‘Mobilising travellers, partners and peers to create more sustainable business models and empower travellers to make more sustainable choices’. Note 3. There is no explanation on how it is doing this.

-The company has ‘aligned its business with a net-zero future’. Note 1.

[] A WTTC* report, compiled with Animondial, sets out how travel can reverse nature loss. Some excerpts: 

-Need to ‘educate and raise awareness, generate revenue streams to sustain the protection, management, and restoration of ecosystems, reduce footprint activities’. Note 3.

-Providing a guide to adopting a ‘Nature Positive’ approach. WTTC explains that this means ‘assessing operational impact, setting out a strategy, identifying essential actions, rolling out and reviewing the program, harnessing communication opportunities’. Note 3.

-Suggested actions: reconnecting people and nature; supporting sustainable value chains; protecting animals and their welfare; investing in nature. Note 3.

*Notes:

-Animondial, a UK-based consultant on animal and nature protection.

-WTTC = World Travel & Tourism Council. A UK-based lobby group for the travel business, established in 1990.

-From 2021, WTTC has claimed that it ‘represents’ the worldwide travel business. This is wrong (the WTTC does not represent us, for example), and surprisingly egocentric. We had hoped that this was a temporary editorial mis-statement.

-At press time, we had not received an answer to our request for clarifications.

Trip.com survey valueless

Survey by the Trip.com group in Singapore, Thailand, and ‘Europe’, found:

-In Singapore 63% (Trip rounded), Thailand 78.5%, said covid ‘increased their appetite’ for sustainable travel. Note 2. 1, This finding as reported has no value; the fault could be in the question. 2, No other markets given.

-In Singapore 69.3%, Thailand 60.4%, ‘care about the impact of travel on future generations’. Note 2. 1, Also of little value. 2, We are surprised that 30-40% do not care.

-In Asia 7.1%, Europe 21.3%, choose sustainable travel because it is ‘trendy’. Note 3. 1, Another odd question/response. 2, We do not know what the balances (93% and 79%) think. 3, Not clear if ‘Asia’ is just Singapore and Thailand, or other markets.

-59.2% would pay more for CO2 offsetting. Note 4. A high-ish share, but as only about 20% pay extra on air fares, many do not do what they say they ‘would’ do.

*Notes:

-At press time, we had not received an answer to our request for clarifications.

Cleaner air

From Washington Aviation Summary; comments from ZERO:

[] US-based Aemetis, a renewable fuels company, has signed an agreement to supply SAF to ICAG* airlines at San Francisco airport from 2025 – which will mean just AerLingus and British Airways. ICAG will buy 78,400 tonnes of SAF over seven years.

[] Lufthansa has introduced a Green Fare that includes full CO2 compensation; 80% of offsetting is done through climate protection projects and 20% through use of SAF. However, the fare will be available only for travellers booking flights to Denmark, Norway, Sweden on its website.

[] Lufthansa and Shell have signed an agreement to check on the supply of SAF at airports worldwide. The airline plans to sign a 7-year contract for 1.8mn tonnes of SAF starting in 2024.

[] United has paid a US$10mn deposit to Archer Aviation for 100 eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, which it ordered in 2021. No delivery date has been announced.

*Notes: ICAG = London/Madrid-based International Consolidated Airlines Group. Airlines include AerLingus, British, Iberia, Level, Vueling.

#environment

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