Concur Travel leads with ISO 14083 emissions integration

The new Concur Travel has become the first online booking tool to integrate emissions calculations that are assured to the new ISO 14083 standard.

This development, facilitated in partnership with Thrust Carbon, represents a significant step in providing users with accurate and consistent emissions data at the booking stage.

The ISO 14083 standard was established to resolve the confusion and inconsistency arising from the diverse emissions calculation methods currently employed. It offers a globally recognised framework to calculate greenhouse gas emissions across all modes of transport, including air, rail, car, and freight. ISO 14083 harmonises methodologies, furnishing organisations with reliable data to support their regulatory compliance efforts.

This standard is aligned with climate initiatives such as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which will enforce emissions reporting obligations on over 50,000 companies globally from 2025. Furthermore, the proposed Count Emissions EU initiative will require transport providers to present emissions data at the point of sale. The EU's endorsement of ISO 14083 as a credible methodology underscores the importance of this standard.

Charlie Sultan, President of Concur Travel at SAP Concur, stated, "At SAP Concur we understand that sustainability is no longer a 'nice to have' but rather a business imperative. By becoming the first online booking tool to integrate emissions calculations tied to the ISO 14083 standard, we're empowering our customers with the accurate and consistent data needed to make informed decisions and for reporting. Partnering with Thrust Carbon, we're proud to lead the way in sustainable travel innovation and help businesses navigate emerging regulations."

The partnership with Thrust Carbon allows the new Concur Travel to deliver ISO 14083-assured emissions data directly at the point of booking, providing customers with dependable sustainability metrics that align with international standards.

Thrust Carbon employs a "multi-methodology" approach to emissions calculations. Their present enhanced International Civil Aviation Organisation approach considers real-world factors such as airspace closures. Additionally, they have introduced a dedicated ISO-compliant formula to ensure conformity with the requirements of ISO 14083, including standardised flight calculations.

Currently live, new Concur Travel users can access ISO-assured emissions data, enabling informed and standardised sustainability decisions.

Kit Aspen, founder of Thrust Carbon, commented, "The travel industry is evolving rapidly, and we are working hard to make sure it evolves sustainably. ISO 14083 unites our industry under a single rigorous standard, which allows us to reduce uncertainty, increase consistency, and focus on the push to net-zero. We are so proud to partner with a leading organisation like SAP Concur to provide their vast user base with the very best travel sustainability data."

The integration of ISO 14083 standards focuses not just on accuracy but on consistency. For organisations facing the complexities of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive compliance, Thrust Carbon's comprehensive reporting capabilities ensure that emissions data available at booking is consistent with that used in official reports. This alignment simplifies reporting and aids businesses in making informed sustainability strategy decisions.

In the 2024 Sustainability Benchmark by the Global Business Travel Association, the emissions reduction efforts within corporate travel were evaluated across various sectors. The findings revealed an average sustainability maturity score of 1.3 on a scale from 0 (no action) to 5 (leading practice), highlighting the urgent need for corporate climate action and the importance of implementing clear, enforceable standards like ISO 14083.

By incorporating ISO-assured emissions data into the new Concur Travel, users can adeptly navigate a complex regulatory environment with assurance that their data meets high standards, equipped with the means to achieve their sustainability objectives.

The release of ISO 14083-assured data in the new Concur Travel marks a pivotal moment in the mission to provide transparent, reliable, and actionable emissions data to customers. The collaboration between Concur Travel and Thrust Carbon enables businesses to confidently pursue sustainability targets, backed by the integrity of their emissions reporting.