2021 Environmental, Social and Governance report commitments include
science-based carbon targets, increased supplier diversity.
New inclusivity and sustainability features added to Neo platform
London, 25 April 2022 – American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), the world’s leading B2B travel platform, has published its annual environmental, social and governance (ESG) report. The 2021 report documents achievements and commitments in sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and governance standards.
Amex GBT also announces adding non-binary ID options to its proprietary online travel and expense management platform, Neo, to make business travel more inclusive for all users.
The ESG report reflects Amex GBT’s foundational belief in working with colleagues, customers and partners for a responsible, sustainable and secure future for the travel industry. Key report highlights include:
Environmental Sustainability
- Launched a partnership with Shell Aviation to work with customers and airlines to scale up sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and deployment, by driving growth in supply and demand.
- Became a signatory to the World Economic Forum Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative to accelerate the supply and use of SAF to reach 10% of global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030.
- Unveiled new carbon reporting and mitigation products and services, including: Green Compass, enhanced sustainability features in Neo and Egencia, Green Business Consulting and Meetings & Events services.
- Collaborated with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to help set the industry standard for green hotels.
- Launched Green@GBT, an employee resource group dedicated to sustainability.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Increased goal of utilizing diverse suppliers across the strategic sourcing portfolio from 4% to 10% by 2030.
- Amex GBT Chief Executive Officer Paul Abbott signed the CEO Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
- Recognized for Achievement in Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) at the 2021 Business Travel Awards.
- Committed to the ECPAT Code of Conduct (for the protection of children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism). We will train 100% of Meetings & Events workforce in this subject in 2022, and our entire workforce by 2025.
- Deepened long-term relationship with UNICEF USA by supporting the Learning Passport. The digital remote-learning platform, developed by UNICEF, Microsoft, and the University of Cambridge, helps children continue their education regardless of barriers, from pandemics to natural disasters to displacement.
- Helped raised tens of thousands of dollars through events such as a World Children’s Day annual fundraiser, India COVID-19 emergency response, Haiti earthquake and Afghanistan evacuation responses, and donations from suppliers and vendors.
Governance
- Our robust internal controls are built upon the powerful backing of American Express and its 100 year history as a regulated financial company. As a controlled entity of a bank holding company, we maintain the highest standards and transparency will only increase in the aftermath of becoming a listed company.
- An EcoVadis gold rating placed Amex GBT in the top 1% of travel and tourism companies rated for corporate social responsibility.
- Amex GBT’s governance program targets and tracks 100% annual completion of mandatory Risk & Compliance training.
- Amex GBT’s ESG program promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Evan Konwiser, Executive Vice President, American Express Global Business Travel, said: “Our ESG report shows how we are working to meet ambitious targets, that we recognize our responsibility as an industry leader to work with customers and partners to help build a responsible, sustainable future that includes all the benefits of travel.
“These endeavors are vital as we believe travel is a force for good, powering progress across economic, social and environmental planes. As it helps bring down barriers and builds understanding, it propels trade and commerce whilst connecting communities globally.”
The latest release of Neo, Amex GBT’s proprietary online booking tool includes new functionalities to contribute to the company’s ESG goals for diversity and sustainability. With more countries offering a third gender option on passports, travelers are now able to present as their preferred gender and match this information in booking tool and airline records. At the same time, many enterprise systems and travel providers have stopped using name prefixes (Mr. Mrs. or Ms.) to respect privacy and diversity among users.
Now companies using the Neo online booking tool can choose to either remove the name prefix from traveler profiles, or include the new neutral choice, ‘Mx’. The booking tool also features a ‘non-binary’ option alongside ‘male’ and ‘female’ in the gender selection field.
Neo also added a new CO2 sort to its booking tool to help users quickly surface up the travel option with the lowest carbon footprint.
Download the 2021 ESG report here.
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About American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is the world’s leading B2B travel platform, providing software and services to manage travel, expenses, and meetings and events for companies of all sizes. We have built the most valuable marketplace in B2B travel to deliver unrivalled choice, value and experiences. With travel professionals in more than 140 countries, our customers and travelers enjoy the powerful backing of American Express Global Business Travel.
Visit amexglobalbusinesstravel.com for more information about Amex GBT, and follow @amexgbt on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Media contacts: Paul Revel, Director EMEA, Global Communications & Public Affairs,
American Express Global Business Travel
Tel: +44 (0) 7786-692665