This is particularly relevant to business travelers, who are increasingly looking for more sustainable travel options, but often encounter obstacles.

The proposal is currently pending for approval and it’s expected in September 2023.

Shift to rail – emissions reduction – EU Green Deal

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The Commission’s annual Environmental Statement 2023, released in April 2024 for the period 2022, reveals a big drop in emissions from flying by staff (-42%) as well as by external experts (-61%), between 2019 and 2022. The data accounts for the full impacts of flying including both CO2 emissions, as well as non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions notably from plane contrails.

A number of Commission services have included quantitative emissions reduction targets in their Annual Management Plans, while DG Budget committed to year on year reduction of the budget for professional travel. A new guide to missions was developed in 2023, facilitating a shift to rail by allowing train travel in defined circumstances when more costly than flying.

European Commission business air travel emissions

In 2022 just under half of some of the world’s biggest corporate flyers in the Travel Smart Emissions Tracker sample – 115 out of 235 – were able to keep their emissions levels low, with reductions of 50% or more as compared to 2019. Emerging data for 2023 confirms that leading companies including Swiss Re, AstraZeneca, EY and IKEA have maintained this momentum. 

However for many other top corporate flyers, emissions are creeping back up again. The Commission’s experience shows that committing to keep business travel emissions to 50% of 2019 levels, and working to make real progress, is both necessary and feasible. Legislators now need to help companies achieve this goal. The next European Commission should seize the momentum to set mandates for companies to halve business travel emissions, and to advance measures to accelerate the transformational changes underway towards the mobility of the future: purposeful business travel.

Notes to editor

[1] For more details, see the Travel Smart campaign’s Latest on business travel policy developments.

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It applies to large companies operating in the EU with more than 500 employees, including those based outside the EU that are selling goods and services in the EU. 

The directive establishes a set of minimum due diligence requirements that companies must comply with. The Due Diligence process includes several steps, such as identifying and assessing sustainability risks, developing and implementing a plan to address those risks, monitoring the effectiveness of the plan, and reporting on the due diligence process and its outcomes.

Transition plan requirement.

The proposed directive represents a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to promote sustainable development and corporate responsibility and is likely to have a major impact on the way that companies operate in the EU.

The CSDDD represents a step forward in the battle against climate change, by requiring large companies to develop climate transition plans with clear reduction targets.

The plan should ensure that the business model and strategy of the company are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the limiting of global warming to 1.5 °C in line with the Paris Agreement.

The CSDDD does not state specific requirements for climate transition plans, close monitoring of further legal developments in each member state will be necessary. 

Due diligence obligations will start to apply as from 2027.

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The proposal is part of the EU’s broader efforts to achieve a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy. By improving the consistency and reliability of sustainability reporting, the new directive aims to help investors, civil society organisations, consumers and other stakeholders make informed decisions and hold companies accountable for their Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) performance.

It will apply to all large companies in the EU, both public and private, around 50,000 businesses.  It’s been estimated that it will impact some 3,000 US companies.

The directive strengthens reporting on Scope 3 emissions categories that include business travel.

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This marks an important milestone towards a transparent measurement framework, to promote more sustainable choices and ultimately, low-carbon business travel. 

Talking  specifically about business air travel, the question remains whether non-CO2 effects would be presented as optional reporting.

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The group highlighted the success of carbon neutrality by 2050 as a long-term climate objective at the 41st session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, but argued that more needs to be done, including the rapid deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to increase supply and lower prices. They also called for broader reflection on air transport uses and exploring options for sustainable and fair air transport. 

“We must have the courage to recognise that air transport is essential in many cases, particularly to connect island and peripheral States, to accomplish health missions, to develop exchanges and to make people closer but that it is sometimes used irresponsibly when the journey could be made using a zero carbon alternative mode or replaced by a video conference.”

Measures on minimum ticket prices, a clear definition of the operating base of air carriers, and the possibility of restricting short flights could also be included. The group also suggested making stakeholders more accountable by increasing transparency on their carbon footprint and implementing specific regulations, particularly regarding business aviation.

Reduced short-haul flights – use of virtual collaboration tools – shift to more sustainable travel modes

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Among them, reducing GHG emissions linked to business travel is mentioned, along with using more sustainable travel modes. 

Target 2022-2030: -50% GHG emissions by 2024. The steps to achieve this objective include:

• “Smart and intelligent staff business travel”: Revise by the end of 2022, and implement the Commission’s internal guidelines on missions integrating updated rules on greening business travel. Shortly after adoption, pledge from all Commission departments to start immediately greening their business travel.
• Monitoring emissions from staff business and external experts travel: tracking emissions with IT tools, choosing greener transport and accommodation, and implementing a new approach for the organisation of meetings and travels.
• Remote events: Install adequate infrastructures in meeting and conference rooms for hybrid meetings, conferences and events, including interpretation options and internet connection.

Increase green mobility for commuting. Target 2022-2030: -45% GHG emissions 

Teleworking: Evaluate the emissions linked to teleworking and assess the timeframe for including emissions linked to teleworking under the Commission’s corporate target.

Reducing business travel emissions – tracking emissions – use of virtual collaboration tools 

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In May 2018, a proposal for a regulation on sustainability-related disclosure in the financial services sector was put forward and adopted as part of the sustainable finance package. The Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) imposes sustainability disclosure obligations on manufacturers of financial products and financial advisers in relation to the integration of sustainability risks in all investment processes and for financial products that pursue sustainable investment objectives. It also requires disclosure of adverse impacts on sustainability matters at entity and financial product levels.

The EC adopted regulatory technical standards on 6 April 2022, which specify the content, methodology, and presentation of sustainability-related information to be disclosed by financial market participants under the SFDR. Compliance with these requirements will contribute to strengthening investor protection and reducing greenwashing. The requirements apply from 1 January 2023.

Sustainability disclosure obligations – transparency and accountability – emissions reporting 

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