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GBTA Convention Plus | Professional Development | GBTA Hub | Blog
November 9, 2022

 

GBTA Sustainability Summit Harnesses Collective Efforts Toward Net Zero Business Travel 

An acknowledgment of urgency, value of collaboration, and the need for concrete action were the pervasive drivers of GBTA’s first Global Sustainability Summit yesterday which focused on decarbonizing business travel in alignment with the Paris Climate Goals – and the 27th United Nations Climate Summit (COP27) happening this week in Egypt.

The event attracted nearly 300 global delegates including sustainability, travel industry, and policy leaders and experts to outline concrete solutions and map a climate action plan for sustainable global business travel.   

“For GBTA, building a greener future means championing industry efforts, developing and scaling solutions and tools, and ultimately eliminating the carbon footprint of business travel so people and businesses can continue to connect,” said Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, GBTA and Managing Director, GBTA Foundation.    

In the opening conversation, Walter Goetz, Head of Cabinet for Transport Commissioner, European Commission, outlined the role of business travel as a force for good and the importance of scaling the solutions to decarbonize transport instead of depressing demand. Expectations from COP27 and what role business can play in leading the transformation was the premise of the opening executive panel. Breakout sessions included discussions on how to navigate standards in green hospitality, bridging the gap in electromobility, encouraging a shift to rail, driving data accuracy and best practices in cutting emissions, and harnessing the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

The event culminated in a two-part think tank session where attendees turned ambition into action to design a climate action plan for the sector. Closing keynote speaker, Dr. Gabrielle Walker, Founder and Director of Valence Solutions and non-profit organization, Rethinking Removals, addressed “The Climate for Change” and what a low carbon future looks like for business travel.

Mark Cuschieri, Sustainability Leadership Council Chair, and Board of Directors Vice President, outlined what GBTA will be prioritizing in 2023 including advocating with policymakers, harmonizing attributes to benchmark sustainability efforts, extending partnerships with like-minded organizations, and establishing a concrete climate action plan and pathway for the industry.

“The only way we’ll get to a greener future and achieve the Race to Net Zero is by getting there together as an industry. This Summit was an impactful next step, but there’s a lot of work ahead – and GBTA will be sharing more as the journey continues,” he said.  

Read more here in today’s post-Sustainability Summit announcement. 

AVIATION

Turkish Airlines to Spin Off Low Cost AnadoluJet Operation (BLOOMBERG)

Singapore Airlines Expects 2023 Airfares May Decline as Rivals Add Capacity (CNBC)

HOSPITALITY

Cvent: Time for Hotels to ‘Group Up’ (BTN)

SUSTAINABILITY

European Buyers More Likely to Feature Sustainable Hotels (BTN EUROPE) – FEATURES GBTA

Turkish Airlines Named Airline Sustainability Innovation of the Year (ETURBONEWS)

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL: Calls for standard science-based targets at WTM (TRAVEL WEEKLY)

OTHER INDUSTRIES

Business Travel Promotes Staff Retention (TRAVEL DAILY NEWS)

Changing Priorities, Technology Adoption and the Key Drivers for Growth: The Top 10 Trends in Corporate Travel, as Revealed by New Sabre Research (WEB IN TRAVEL)

AirPlus and Uber for Business Make Business Travel Easier (PR NEWSWIRE)

Industry Spotlight


GBTA WINiT
Celebrating Women Leaders and Allies at the 2022 WINiT Gala

The WINiT Awards and Gala event on October 27 in New York highlighted and celebrated the efforts of women leaders and their allies who take the lead in guiding their companies, colleagues, mentees, and personal careers in the travel industry. The evening was special, but their stories are even more special.

GBTA WINiT 1:1 Mentoring Program. Calling all Potential Mentees.

Are you taking stock of 2022 and preparing for 2023? Did you know that employees with mentors are five times more likely to be promoted? GBTA WINiT has an impressive group of individuals ready and waiting to mentor you, to develop your skills, to build confidence, and help you expand your professional career.

The GBTA WINiT 1:1 Mentoring Program is a virtual program with the primary objective of fostering mentoring and developmental relationships to progress female leaders of all levels. Available to GBTA members worldwide, and women and men, the program provides Mentors and Mentees with training and tools necessary create and build a successful mentoring relationship.

How does it work?
Mentors and Mentees complete an online application. Mentees review the available Mentors and select one who aligns with their particular industry, skill set, and growth goals. Once matched, the mentoring relationship begins and is designed to last for three months with the option to continue, pause, or celebrate success. Want to learn more? Reach out to Bev Heinritz, GBTA WINiT Program Director at bheinritz@gbta.org.

 

GBTA Survey
The Dawn of the Employee-Centric Travel Program?

Dive deeper into the new research report – “The Dawn of the Employee-Centric Travel Program” – released recently by GBTA and Deem, Inc., a leading mobile-first corporate travel management software provider. Click the link below and learn more about the current state and role of the employee experience when it comes to managed corporate travel.

View the full report

Resources


Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Italy - Unionized public transport workers plan strike in Rome, Italy, 08:30-12:30 Nov. 11; service disruptions likely.

Malaysia - Officials suspend train services at 16 stations along the Kelana Jaya LRT line in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 9-15.

Russia and Ukraine - Russia extends flight restrictions at 10 southwestern airports and one airport in Crimea until at least Nov. 15.

United Kingdom - Unionized ground staff at London Heathrow Airport, UK, plan to strike Nov. 18-21; airport and flight disruptions likely.

More Information

Upcoming Events

GBTA Conference 2022 – Brussels in Partnership with VDR
November 9

Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management™
November 11
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Dawn of the Employee-Centric Travel Program?
November 30
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

PATA – GBTA APAC Travel Summit - Global Business Travel Association - GBTA
December 8 - 9
Bangkok, Thailand

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Can’t make the GBTA Conference 2022 Brussel in Partnership with VDR this year? Sign up for this virtual replay. Learn more.

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PODCAST | How Travel Managers Can Drive Insights and Outcomes Using Data and AI Listen now

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GBTA Career Spotlight
Sponsorship Operations and Fulfillment Coordinator

The Sponsorship Operations and Fulfillment Coordinator is responsible for managing the overall delivery of sponsorship benefits. Duties include coordinating with Business Development, Research, Education, Marketing, and other departments to ensure overall fulfillment of client benefits are achieved on time. Learn More

View Other Openings
 
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