Advito’s Gate4 carbon emissions calculation
methodology has achieved certification under the ISO 14064 and ISO 14065 environmental
management standards.
The methodology used by Advito, the
consultancy arm of BCD Travel, takes into account the electricity mix on a country-by-country basis of different elements, such as hotel
energy consumption, rail emissions, and country carbon intensity. The
methodology also factors in several components not included in standard
carbon reporting, such as passenger to freight ratios, hotel eco-labels,
amenities, and rail operators’ individual sustainability initiatives.
The Gate4 methodology was piloted with clients in
late 2020, and the ISO certification means that the emissions reporting figures
can now be included in annual financial reporting.
Advito’s sustainable collaboration practice lead, Julien
Etchanchu, said, “We see more companies taking a genuine interest in how they
can create a sustainable travel programme. This is great, but there is a long
way to go.
“Unfortunately, with the existing industry
standard, we found that travel managers and buyers were getting inaccurate
emissions reporting across all categories, and that our calculations were
sometimes two to three times lower or higher.”
Etchanchu added, “We believe the
future of financial accounting and budgeting will focus heavily on
environmental costs. This means a robust format for carbon budgeting on a
business unit and employee level will be essential. Applying a carbon cost to
all travel purchases will also become the norm, as businesses have to look at
more than just ticket price when reporting on cost of travel.”