TUI launches its new sustainability agenda with scientifically validated reduction targets for flights, hotels and cruises by the Science Based Targets Initiative, SBTI. With a clear commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and reduction targets by 2030, TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel presents the group's sustainability agenda. The goal: to significantly reduce TUI's environmental impact Oand maximize the positive socio-economic impacts on travel destinations.
The three pillars of the agenda, 'People, Planet and Progress', are supported by fifteen focus areas to be implemented across the business. From investments in state-of-the-art aircraft and more sustainable fuels for aircraft and cruise ships, to ambitious energy savings and sourcing local raw materials in hotels. The number of hotels and experiences certified according to internationally recognised sustainability criteria will also be increased. TUI is taking steps to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and fully integrates ESG criteria into its corporate governance. The sustainability agenda has been developed by an international team of experts from the company in close cooperation with the various business units. Sustainability is thus embedded in all of TUI's business areas.
”We are in a decade of sustainable transformation – for TUI and the industry as a whole. We want to strengthen and further develop tourism as a global driver of prosperity and development. TUI will continue to lead the tourism industry in sustainability – with our ambitious goals, pioneering initiatives and holistic approaches. Sustainability is a top priority for me personally and for TUI. We have previously proven that we have the expertise and the right approach to make tourism more sustainable. That is why we do not see sustainability as a threat – for us it is an opportunity. We wanted to be guided by the latest climate science, that is why we are working with the Science Based Target initiative”, says Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group.
PLANET: Reducing TUI's environmental impact
Reducing the Group's emissions is a central goal for the focus area ’'Planet'’. As an important milestone, TUI has committed to 2030 emission reduction targets for its own airlines, cruises and hotels. In collaboration with, among others, the UN Global Compact, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has conducted a thorough review of TUI’s targets to ensure they are in line with the latest climate science. From 2020, TUI has been working to validate the emission reduction targets through SBTi, with the development of a detailed plan. TUI will achieve net zero emissions across the entire company and supply chain by 2050. By 2030, emissions from TUI’s airlines will be reduced by 24 percent, group-owned hotels by at least 46.2 percent and cruises by 27.5 percent compared to 2019 levels.
”These scenarios were made on the basis of current scientific knowledge and the technology and fuels available today. New technology and innovations will continue to open up new opportunities and will push us to be more ambitious. That is why we will continue to review and adjust our targets. We want to reduce emissions faster and we will also communicate this to our suppliers and partners. Everyone who works with TUI must be prepared to join us on this journey, says Sebastian Ebel.
TUI airline accounts for around 80 percent of the travel group's emissions. Between 2008 and 2022, CO2 emissions by 18 percent per passenger kilometer. By 2030, these should be reduced by 24 percent, compared to 2019. To achieve this, TUI relies on state-of-the-art aircraft and improves operational efficiency, e.g. optimized flight routes. In addition, TUI will increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) beyond current blending requirements. TUI already has cooperation agreements to promote the production and delivery of SAF. Ebel calls on politicians and airports to create incentives for investments in a more efficient aircraft fleet: ”Higher fees for older aircraft, lower fees for using SAF and more carbon-efficient aircraft. These are simple mechanisms to directly strengthen investments in sustainability.”
TUI plans to offer climate-neutral cruises by 2030 at the latest. At the same time, the Group's cruise operations will reduce CO2e-emissions from its fleet by more than a quarter (27.5 percent) in absolute terms by 2030. No other cruise line in the world is currently committing to an absolute reduction target. TUI Group’s cruise business is also the first in its industry to have its reduction targets approved by SBTi. Energy efficiency in ship operations, fuel-saving route optimization, shore power in ports and the use of alternative fuels – such as sustainable biofuels, bio-LNG and green methanol – are crucial to achieving the 2030 reduction targets. Between 2015 and 2019, the carbon dioxide efficiency of cruises improved by 14 percent. The three newbuildings that will join the fleet in 2023 will not use heavy fuel oil. Mein Schiff 7 will enter service in 2024 and will be powered by lower-emission marine diesel and equipped with catalytic converters and shore power. In addition, the ship will be able to run on ”green methanol” in the future. In 2024 and 2026, two ships will be introduced that will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG serves as a bridge technology until bio-LNG is available, which will be produced either from biogenic sources or synthetically from renewable energy.
For TUI Hotels & Resorts TUI has committed to reducing emissions by almost half (46.2 percent). At the same time, TUI is working to reach even more ambitious reduction targets – and to reduce hotel emissions as far as possible to zero by 2030. To achieve this, TUI is focusing on renewable energy and resource-saving operating methods.
”The 2030 emission reduction targets are an important milestone on the path to zero-emission travel. With the program presented today, we aim to make significant reductions by 2030. I see this as a minimum of what we need to achieve, both in terms of reduction targets and time horizon. For example, I have set myself the personal goal of reducing emissions from our hotels as far as possible to zero by 2030. Together with all TUI colleagues, I am working to ensure that TUI becomes the industry’s climate pioneer and continues to extend its lead.”, says Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group.
PROGRESS: Accelerate the transition
TUI has already launched a key initiative under the 'Progress' pillar with 'Destination Co-Lab Rhodes'. The holiday island of Rhodes is to be developed into a global role model for sustainable transformation, in a joint project by TUI Group, the South Aegean Government and the Greek Government and the TUI Care Foundation. Since its announcement in 2022, the overall strategy has been developed with local stakeholders and a comprehensive package of measures has been adopted. A project office has started its work on site, which will coordinate and drive the 27 individual projects forward. More information on this will be published shortly in 'Destination Co-Lab: Rhodes'.
TUI continues to lead the way with its sustainability certification strategy for hotels. Since 2015, TUI has delivered more than 54 million holidays to hotels that have been independently certified as sustainable and TUI will continue to work towards more hotels being certified. Certifications are an important part of driving change in the industry, which is why TUI Musement is certified to the Global Sustainable Council (GSTC) Criteria, achieving the highest quality assurance mark currently available for sustainability. TUI was the first company in the industry to start applying global sustainability standards to its experiences. The certified experiences process is designed to support local providers to improve the sustainability of their offerings, thereby helping to transform the entire sector.
PEOPLE: Enabling driving force for development
To promote positive social impact for people in destinations, TUI will raise EUR 10 million annually for the TUI Care Foundation by 2024. The TUI Care Foundation uses the positive power of tourism to improve the lives of young people, care for nature and contribute to the development of local communities. Founded in 2016 as TUI’s independent foundation, the TUI Care Foundation identifies opportunities to build projects that use tourism as a force for good development and create lasting change in local communities. Its work helps to accelerate sustainable change in the tourism sector in destinations, especially in emerging and developing countries. Environmental education is also important to raise awareness of environmental and nature conservation among young people at an early age.
”The Sustainability Agenda is our plan to make tourism more sustainable. Groundbreaking initiatives such as the ”Destination Co-Lab: Rhodes” and applying global sustainability standards to our experience portfolio represent our ambition to not only shape our own transformation, but to be a role model for the entire industry and holiday destinations. With reduction targets for 99 percent of our emissions now reviewed and approved by SBTi, we have transparency about our goals and want to create commitment to our ambitions. One thing is clear: We see our 2030 target as a stepping stone and will do everything we can to achieve net zero emissions already before 2050,” says Thomas Ellerbeck, Chief Sustainability Officer of TUI Group and member of the Group Executive Board.
According to the press release.
