In a groundbreaking development for the corporate travel industry, Advito and Tripkicks have unveiled a real-time carbon footprint tracker designed to help businesses align their travel programs with sustainability goals. This innovative solution, known as Carbon Footprints, provides travelers with immediate insights into their emissions, fostering a deeper connection between individual actions and company-wide objectives.

“Advito and Tripkicks have built something that does not exist in our industry: a solution that goes beyond abstract numbers and creates a meaningful connection between our travelers’ actions and company-wide goals,” said Rafael Rosario, global travel manager at Bloomberg.

Bloomberg, an early adopter of Carbon Footprints, played a crucial role in shaping its development. The integration of this technology offers real-time, accessible data that drives informed decision-making, making it easier for companies to track and reduce their carbon emissions. “This integration delivers on that vision by automatically providing real-time, accessible data that drives informed decision-making,” Rosario added.

The Carbon Footprints tool features several key components that make it a powerful ally for sustainable travel:

• Year-to-Date Emissions Totals: Travelers can view dynamic calculations of year-to-date air emissions based on their actual trips. If emissions are trending up compared to last year, a red arrow appears with the current increase year over year, or a green arrow if trending down.
• Relatable Equivalencies: Data is contextualized using comparisons such as “equivalent to driving X miles” or “attending X hours of videoconferencing calls,” helping travelers better comprehend the impact of their emissions.
• No Setup Required: Designed as a turnkey solution, requiring no additional setup or third-party integration for clients using Tripkicks.
• Real-Time Budget Alignment: Optional expanded functionality shows travelers real-time tracking towards an individual budgeted CO2e amount for the year.
• Informed Decision-Making: Reducing carbon emissions in business travel is contingent upon travelers continuing to make smarter decisions. For the first time, travelers have easily accessible and real-time visibility into how their actions contribute to the overall company sustainability objectives.

Julien Etchanchu, Senior Director of Advito’s Sustainable Collaboration Practice, highlighted the educational aspect of the tool. “For the first time, travelers can see how their actions have an impact on emissions when they are making travel booking decisions,” he said. “This collaboration with Tripkicks educates employees and gives organizations a simple, effective way to bridge the gap between sustainability metrics and traveler behavior.”

Carbon Footprints is available as a Tripkicks Connection and works alongside the existing GATE4 Connection, which has been enhanced to highlight the best supplier for a given flight itinerary based on fuel efficiency, as well as to promote rail options on relevant routes. This represents the next chapter in the ongoing partnership between Advito and Tripkicks, with more enhancements planned for the near future.

Colleen Black, VP of Business Development at Tripkicks, emphasized the importance of simplicity and visibility. “We consistently hear from companies who have a business imperative to reduce their travel footprint and are looking for more ways to take action,” she said. “It was important for us to build something that was simple, impactful, and highly visible for travelers.”

About Advito

Advito is the consulting arm of BCD Travel, specializing in transforming corporate travel programs. Its intelligence-driven framework manages supplier spend and traveler behavior dynamically, ensuring travel programs run smoothly and efficiently, while meeting the needs of all stakeholders. With smart analytics, unique supplier strategies, and integrated traveler engagement, Advito elevates travel programs to new heights of sustainability, savings, and satisfaction. Advito is proud to be the first travel consultancy to develop its own ISO certified carbon reporting methodology, GATE4, and to create a dedicated practice area for sustainable business travel.

About Tripkicks

Tripkicks is a business travel technology powerhouse, equipping companies across the U.S. with the tools to achieve their travel program goals and enhance the experience of their travelers. As a simple add-on to corporate travel programs, Tripkicks enables travel managers to influence booking decisions by providing travelers with actionable insights and practical guidance. With Tripkicks, travelers are empowered with the information and tips they need to discover the best options and achieve a successful trip. Tripkicks is based in New York City and works with global enterprise clients.

Practical Applications and Real-World Examples

One of the most compelling aspects of Carbon Footprints is its practical application in real-world scenarios. For instance, a company like IBM, which has a significant travel footprint, can now use this tool to monitor and reduce its carbon emissions. By providing real-time data, IBM can make immediate adjustments to their travel policies, such as encouraging more video conferences instead of in-person meetings, or opting for more fuel-efficient flights.

Another example is Delta Air Lines, which has been actively seeking ways to reduce its carbon footprint. With Carbon Footprints, Delta can now offer its corporate clients a tool to track their emissions, making it easier for them to choose more sustainable travel options. This not only helps Delta meet its sustainability goals but also positions it as a leader in eco-friendly travel solutions.

Addressing Potential Counterarguments

While the benefits of Carbon Footprints are clear, some may argue that the tool adds an unnecessary layer of complexity to an already intricate travel planning process. However, the turnkey nature of the solution, which requires no additional setup or third-party integration, mitigates this concern. Moreover, the real-time data and relatable equivalencies make it easier for travelers to understand and act on their emissions data without feeling overwhelmed.

Another potential criticism is the cost associated with implementing such a tool. However, the long-term savings from reduced carbon emissions and improved sustainability metrics can outweigh the initial investment. Companies like Bloomberg, which have already adopted the tool, have seen significant benefits in terms of both cost savings and environmental impact.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Advito and Tripkicks marks a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable corporate travel. By providing real-time, accessible data, Carbon Footprints empowers travelers to make informed decisions that align with their company’s sustainability goals. As more companies adopt this tool, we can expect to see a significant reduction in carbon emissions from business travel, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.