ABTA and Deloitte Introduce Climate Action Guidebook

ABTA, The Travel Association, and Deloitte have released a new Climate Action Guidebook that shows how businesses can lead the way to decarbonisation and more sustainable travel and tourism.

The guidebook has information about how carbon emissions are reported now and what reduction goals are needed to reach the UK's net-zero goals. It also has information on climate-related risks and how to manage them, as well as information on managing climate-related hazards. 

The guide is intended for businesses of all sizes, recognising that every sector of the industry can help reduce carbon emissions across the travel supply chain. It also includes new data on consumer attitudes toward climate change: 71% of UK consumers think that climate change is an emergency, and 57% are changing what they do or buy to help solve the problem.

Over the last year, ABTA and Deloitte have collaborated to create this Guidebook, which examines the practical steps the industry has to take to decarbonise travel, as well as what we need from travel business leaders to make that happen. CEOs and sustainability leads from ABTA Members have contributed to the collaboration and guidebook. A copy of the guidebook can be found here.

It builds on ABTA's Tourism for Good report, which came out in 2020 and lays out a plan for making the industry more environmentally friendly.

Carol Rose, Senior Sustainability Manager at ABTA – The Travel Association, said:

“Climate change is a global threat. The impact of a warming planet is plain to see. Just this summer we’ve seen the UK – along with many other places - reach record temperatures, as well as wildfires and floods. 

“For our sector, decarbonisation isn’t easy, but it is essential. Progress has been made across the travel industry to reduce emissions, but there is still a long way to go, and this guidebook will help businesses to chart that course.

“I also want to extend a huge thank you to all of the Members who have contributed to this process and the development of the guidebook.”

Alistair Pritchard, lead partner for travel and aviation at Deloitte, said: 

“Consumers and businesses alike are looking at how they can adapt travel behaviours to be more sustainable, and, for the travel industry, this is particularly challenging given the nature of the broader travel eco-system. Every step towards decarbonising is a positive move, and we hope that the practical actions set out in the guidebook serve to navigate businesses on their carbon-reduction journey.”

Source: ABTA

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