A new initiative to make companies and travellers more aware of social and green issues has been launched by the UK and Ireland Institute of Travel Management (ITM).
Project Icarus will aim to bring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the environment and sustainability and the duty of care more to the fore among travel buyers and suppliers.
The Institute, under the lead of chairman Mark Avery of PricewaterhouseCoopers, has already set up a working party to provide resources for responsible corporate travel.
The group which include buyers, academics and consultants has produced the industry's first Environmental Impact Reduction Kit.
This includes best practice for carbon emission reporting, avoidance options, a tool to compare emissions for different means of transport and information on carbon offset programmes.
Project Icarus will also develop an Environmental Programme Audit, to enable buyers to submit targets and methodologies for CO2 reduction to ITM for audit.
Buyers who cut their company's emissions on travel will get formal accreditation. Travel suppliers will also be able to submit their environmental programme claims for auditing and inclusion on an environmental register.
Mr Avery said: "Corporate travel is the fastest growing issue in our industry right now, but Project Icarus is grounded firmly in realism.
"It is clear that many buyers, especially in the SME sector, have not engaged with the issues and options available because they regard CSR as being relevant only to larger organisations and corporations.
"CSR is relevant to any company that purchases or provides business travel, regardless of size, spend or requirements."
AEA/ACI launch security initiative
Two major European bodies have launched a long term initiative to improve aviation security.
The Association of European Airlines (AEA) and the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) have announced a European Strategic Partnership for Aviation Security (ESPAS) to address the shortcomings of current security policies.
The two organisations said events, including terrorist bombings in London and Madrid and the wave of new security measures after the Heathrow alert, underlined the need for a new approach.
The aim is to establish a common aviation security policy throughout Europe.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI Europe said: "Any new security rule should focus specifically on the threat or risk that needs to be eliminated, taking account of the impact on passenger mobility and convenience, operations and cost."
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