The carbon emissions debate has always been one prevalent in our industry, seeing more and more suppliers adapting their services with an aim to lowering their impact on the environment. This is designed not only to meet their own environmental strategies, but also entice corporates to include their services on travel programmes instead of carbon-rich alternatives. It does mean, however, that their prices aren't always the cheapest and they could be overlooked as a viable alternative to lower priced options when a cost-focused approach is taken through an RFP process.
During my time as travel manager at a global blue chip technology company, one of my goals was to support the reduction in carbon emissions across the air programme - identified through the analysis of air passenger traffic data. The main task was to review the purpose of trip to ascertain if non-essential travel could be reduced or removed, not only to positively impact the P&L but to reduce the impact to the environment.
Interestingly, there was a high volume of air travel taken by our sales team going to see customers to promote video conferencing capabilities, so after a quick call with the sales director to propose using more of our own product to self-promote, we quickly minimised the traffic (initially by 10%) which had a positive emissions impact across EMEA.
In those days, we didn't have carbon reporting or tools which calculated the impact for us; it was a manual excel spreadsheet and a link to the DEFRA website that took a lot of time and energy. However the results were astounding and gave us some great insight into how we should select suppliers in the future — it wasn't all about price when sustainability formed such a high priority within our business.
Nowadays, many TMCs have tools which provide detailed reporting to customers on their emissions and some of the front end self-booking tools can enable the customer to make an informed decision based on their environmental impact, offering multiple forms of travel type based on the emission's impact.
Today, and speaking from a broader, more informed position in the aviation sector, carbon emissions only form one portion of the whole corporate social responsibility debate as other elements such as climate change, local noise pollution and air quality are also critical to the performance on any carrier. This is not only from an asset performance prospective but in working with travel managers who are driven by CSR performance.
Below I have outlined some of the actions carriers are adopting to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency to keep prices low and support travel budget requirements. These additional considerations are worthwhile when selecting suppliers on a travel programme and generate possible questions to ask your carriers.
Asset utilisation
While brand new aircraft will always deliver optimum results, improvements can be made on more mature aircraft by retro-fitting lighter seats, seatbelts and even cabin trolleys which helps with the overall performance. These improvements can reduce the aircraft weight by almost 600kg, thus improving the fuel efficiency.
Going paperless
Paper has always been heavily relied upon when dispatching an aircraft, used for many things from manifests to navigational charts. Pilots now use touchpads in the cockpits which replace laptops and printed navigational charts delivering a weight benefit of up to 27kg per aircraft which has a positive fuel impact.
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Pilots use devices such as Panasonic Toughpads instead of paperClimate change
The aviation sector is one which relies on the use of fossil fuels, certainly in the short to medium term, as unlike other industries we rely on jet fuel. Our philosophy is that the industry must show that it is making continual improvements in efficiency and optimising the use of these fossil fuels, while also supporting the longer-term technological change necessary to deliver more sustainable flying.
Sustainable Aviation, a UK body made up of airlines, aviation manufacturers, air traffic control providers and other organisations in the sector, supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions and has produced a carbon emissions roadmap. This shows that UK aviation is able to accommodate significant growth to 2050 without a substantial increase in absolute carbon emissions, through a number of measures to improve aircraft fuel efficiency and international carbon trading - and airlines should play an active role in the delivery of this carbon emissions roadmap.
An efficient business model means that the airlines have a continued focus on reducing emissions and fuel burn for each aircraft with a young, efficient fleet, featuring advanced technology, which is flown efficiently.
The European Union's Emission Trading System (ETS), an important step to ensuring that aviation is helping to tackle climate change.
Noise pollution
Being a good neighbour in the communities around the airports where it operates and the impact of aircraft noise on residents is an important consideration and compliance with local rules that govern noise at airports (such as curfews and routings to avoid built-up areas).
Our work to improve the efficiency of flying has reduced the noise impact. For example, a change in the flap settings used for landings has improved fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels at landing. Newer aircraft after June 2014 can be fitted with 'vortex generators' to prevent a particular sound due to airflow under the wing.
Single engine taxiing
Carriers are frequently looking at ways to save on fuel burn specially when taxiing on the ground. Airlines are adopting a process where they shut down an engine when taxiing to take off and from landing which not only supports a reduction of carbon emissions, but reduces the requirement of using expensive jet fuel. The benefits do depend on aircraft equipment and personal pilot technique.
Air quality
Local air quality impact arises from nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions during aircraft take-offs and landings, so newer engines feature a tech insertion which reduces NOx emissions by around 25%.
Get serious about CSR
There are many creative ways being adopted by airlines which have a positive effect on the services they provide to travellers. Our industry is one of change, with many new entrant suppliers coming across the industry, providing an easy and affordable way to travel.
Personally, I believe carbon emissions are something that should be seriously reviewed as part of a travel programme not only because it is environmentally friendly, but it also supports the company's wider business objectives. Often, you don't have to choose the more expensive carriers in order to make a positive impact on your carbon programme.