Do you believe in the importance of a sustainable travel industry? The travel and tourism sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.9% over the next decade. That is positive, but it also reminds us that we need to put in place measures to guarantee the sustainability of the sector in the long term. Amadeus takes this very seriously. Let me tell you why.
We consider that a company’s responsibility goes beyond securing the growth of its results. At Amadeus we have a record for many years of limiting the environmental impact and optimizing the social reach of our commercial operations. We believe that environmental efficiency has to start with our internal operations. That is why we measure our environmental impact in order to identify improvements and implement solutions. Since 2009, we have been using the Amadeus Environmental Management System (EMS) as a solid methodology to analyze all our environmental data and help us identify and take measures to improve environmental performance.
As a technology provider for the travel and tourism sector, Amadeus develops technology solutions that help our customers improve their environmental and economic efficiency. One of our technology solutions, Amadeus Altéa Departure Control-Flight Management, allows airlines to accurately calculate the fuel they need for a given flight, allowing them significant savings in CO2 emissions, fuel and economic costs.
To achieve greater long-term results, we collaborate with other interest groups in the travel industry and participate in projects to improve environmental sustainability. For example, in order to help achieve the 2-degree objective set by the Paris Agreement and reach the carbon neutral level, Amadeus joined the United Nations’ Climate Neutral Now commitment.
We have also established a long-term agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to contribute to a greater awareness of carbon emissions in aviation. Amadeus uses the ICAO carbon emissions calculator on its distribution platforms to provide travelers with information on the greenhouse gas emissions produced during their trips.
Amadeus’ environmental commitment is reflected in our inclusion in several global sustainability indices. Among others, Amadeus has been chosen as one of the most sustainable companies in the world, ranking 16 in the 100 global companies chosen by Corporate Knights in 2018. In addition, our efforts in this regard have been recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years.
Looking at the social level, we believe that travel can play a key role in global economic development and can be a determining force for positive change.
We seek to actively contribute to the communities in which we work, through investment, participation in local projects and partnerships with non-profit organizations around the world. To do so, during 2017 we developed 138 community support and social assistance projects and 69 training projects, providing young people with the qualifications required by the digitized sector of travel and tourism.
In 2013, Amadeus launched Click for Change, a program that, thanks to the donation engine developed by Amadeus, allows donations from people who buy their trips online. So far, travelers have donated almost 3 million dollars on the websites of Iberia, Finnair, Norwegian, Almundo and Avianca for programs to educate and vaccinate of children,and other development projects run by the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF).
We also contribute our knowledge in travel intelligence for initiatives that benefit society. In this sense, Amadeus is part of a UNICEF global innovation program that collects and analyzes complex data sources from different sectors. In part, thanks to the data provided by Amadeus, they can better understand the patterns of the spread of epidemics, which helps them to control possible outbreaks in other areas.
Our purpose to shape the future of travel and tourism is based on internal, external and collaborative actions with other entities in the sector. We are committed and proud to be able to use Amadeus’ technology, experience and global network to ensure the sustainability of the travel industry in the long-term and build a better future for all.
About the author
Tomas López Fernebrand, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Amadeus
