As a purpose-driven company, our teams stand committed to utilizing travel as a force for good. Travel can drive economic prosperity and innovation. It can cultivate ties between cultures, strengthen connections, and help those with disparate views strike common ground. It’s evident in the software and services we deliver that we value travel’s ability to foster positive and meaningful change. That’s why we use our network and skills to move people when it matters most. And we help drive our industry towards net zero by working to accelerate the decarbonization of aviation. Realistically, we know that change doesn’t happen overnight. Yet steady progress can be highly rewarding. So, how does our progress measure up? Skim through our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, Powering Progress 2023. You’ll get a detailed look at how our ESG priorities have come to life over the past year. But before diving into the full report, catch a glimpse of the report’s key highlights:

Environmental progress

Carbon pricing: By implementing a travel transaction fee, businesses can create a funding vehicle that stimulates clean technology and innovation called carbon pricing. In 2023, we helped clients build carbon pricing into their travel programs by assigning carbon fees to air emissions. Clients can use the funds they collect from those fees toward sustainability initiatives, like carbon compensation projects and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Emissions calculations: In 2022, we entered into an agreement with climate technology company CHOOOSE to integrate its carbon emissions calculations across our travel booking and reporting tools. In 2023, we enhanced those tools by increasing greenhouse gas emissions data.

Travel managers can select a preferred CHOOOSE-powered emissions calculation methodology and apply that preference across our booking, mobile, and itinerary solutions. With better insight on the carbon footprint, travelers can make informed booking decisions.

SAF program powered by Avelia: Companies that sign up to our SAF program have access to Avelia, one of the world’s first blockchain-powered book-and-claim solutions for SAF, developed by Shell and Accenture with the support of the Energy Web Foundation. Book-and-claim allows clients to pay for SAF and claim the benefits, even if SAF is not available at their departure airport. Since our SAF program launched in 2022, over 1 million gallons of SAF have been injected into the aviation fueling system by Shell Aviation on behalf of our clients and airlines.

Strategic investment: United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (UAV SFF) is a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support startups on decarbonizing air travel. The aim is to accelerate research, production, and technologies associated with SAF. As a strategic investor in UAV SFF, we’re helping to support those efforts.

Social progress

Crisis response: In late 2023, we announced our partnership with the humanitarian relief organization, Airlink, to help first responders travel more quickly to disaster areas. Airlink provides free transport for relief workers and emergency supplies to a vetted network of over 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities worldwide, helping communities in the aftermath of disasters. We plan to build booking solutions and services for Airlink and its NGO network to streamline travel for emergency relief workers.

Supporting our talent: New career development and learning resources were offered to all employees globally to support their career growth. Frontline travel counselors and coaches, and new Amex GBT leaders receive development programs focused on their roles.

A new Travel Academy: To expand career opportunities to a broader, more diverse talent pool, we launched Travel Academy, a learning program that trains those with no experience as a travel counselor all about the fundamentals of the role. The fun, interactive training includes virtual reality and gamification to build skills and fill knowledge gaps.

Governance framework

Compliance program of the year: We were humbled and honored to win the top honor at Compliance Week’s Excellence in Compliance Awards – a testament to the strength of our governance framework, put in place to protect our clients, business partners, and colleagues. And despite 2023’s dynamic environment of evolving sanctions and regulatory developments, we continued to uphold our robust governance framework.

Platinum status from EcoVadis: For the second year in a row, we achieved Platinum status from EcoVadis, a provider of business sustainability ratings. That places us in the top 1% of rated companies around the world. The rating is based on our environmental, labor, human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement practices.

Award-winning data protection: The Privacy-Friendly Awards are organized by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong. In 2023, we received the Gold Award for demonstrating high standards in protecting personal data. Behind that win is our privacy program, built on European Union principles that are a product of what’s currently the most stringent and comprehensive privacy law framework in the world.

Accessible travel

From providing access to one of the world’s first blockchain-powered book-and-claim solutions for SAF to assisting NGOs with relocating refugees displaced by war, we’re playing a proactive role in powering progress through travel. At the same time we recognize that those with different types of disabilities have unique challenges when it comes to travel. In our 2023 ESG report, you’ll discover how we’re helping to provide a distinguished service experience that accommodates special requirements. Click here for the full story on our ESG initiatives, including our efforts to make travel more accessible to everyone.