London – November 16, 2021 – American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) today announced that it is committing to set science-based targets as an interim step on its journey to net-zero emissions globally by 2050.
GBT will follow the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) methodology to establish emissions reduction goals for its global operations and supply chain over the next two years. For science-based and net-zero targets, GBT is working to limit global warming to avoid the most catastrophic threats of climate change as set out by the Paris Agreement. GBT joins SBTi together with more than 2,000 companies representing more than 20% of global market capitalization (in excess of USD 20 trillion)1.
Paul Abbott, GBT’s CEO, said: “GBT is committed to reducing emissions in line with climate science because we recognize that economic and social progress are inextricably bound with environmental sustainability. By committing to set science-based targets, GBT is building on the momentum of COP26 and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) net-zero resolution, which represents nearly 300 airlines including all our preferred partners. We invite the global travel ecosystem to challenge business-as-usual by taking climate leadership and investing in a more sustainable future.”
GBT has been carbon neutral for its own travel since 2019, one of the first global travel management companies to offset 100% of its own travel emissions. To help achieve its science-based and net-zero targets, GBT will incorporate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its strategy for reducing its own corporate travel emissions. GBT is already working to scale SAF throughout the aviation value chain through its collaboration with Shell Aviation, combining the buying power of airlines and GBT’s corporate business travel customers.
Si-Yeon Kim, GBT’s Chief Risk & Compliance Officer and Executive Chair of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) said: “While GBT enables clients and travelers, we are also accelerating our own decarbonization journey. Formally committing to the SBTi is an important milestone, underlining our determination to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.”
More information on GBT’s sustainability targets and progress can be found in its annual ESG report which is available here.
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1source: Science Based Targets https://sciencebasedtargets.org/sbti-progress-report-2020
About American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is the world’s leading business partner for managed travel. We help companies and their employees prosper by making sure travelers are present where and when it matters. We keep global business moving with the powerful backing of travel professionals in more than 140 countries. Companies of all sizes, and in all places, rely on GBT to provide travel management services, organize meetings and events, and deliver business travel consulting.
Visit amexglobalbusinesstravel.com for more information about GBT, and follow @amexgbt on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.