Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Europe is taking a major step forward in sustainable travel through a groundbreaking partnership between Amadeus and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), enabling the integration of IATA CO2 Connect into booking systems across the region. This powerful collaboration allows travelers to access accurate, real-time carbon emissions data at the point of booking, helping them make more environmentally responsible choices. With increasing demand for transparency and consistency in flight emissions reporting, this move positions Europe at the forefront of eco-conscious travel innovation and aligns the industry with emerging global sustainability standards.

The airline and travel industries have been under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices and provide travelers with the necessary tools to make environmentally conscious decisions. A major advancement in promoting sustainable travel is the launch of IATA CO2 Connect—a dynamic solution that empowers airlines, travel agencies, corporate travel planners, and digital booking platforms to deliver verified carbon emissions data. passengers with accurate and reliable carbon emissions data at the point of booking. This integration not only provides customers with essential information to make informed decisions but also plays a crucial role in meeting growing consumer demand for sustainability in travel.

IATA CO2 Connect serves as a comprehensive tool that uses real operational data to calculate the carbon emissions of flights. This data includes aircraft-specific fuel consumption, which is directly provided by more than seventy airlines globally. The information is then calculated using a globally standardized methodology, ensuring consistency and accuracy in emissions reporting. By incorporating IATA CO2 Connect data into the booking process, travelers can gain instant access to carbon footprint information, empowering them to factor in the environmental impact of their flights before they even commit to booking.

According to IATA surveys, the expectation for transparency regarding carbon emissions is significant among travelers. Almost nine out of ten travelers say they want airlines or travel agencies to give them carbon emissions details when booking their flights. As the industry strives for greater environmental accountability, travelers increasingly seek out ways to reduce their personal carbon footprints. However, while demand for emissions data is high, seventy-nine percent of respondents also pointed out a major challenge: the inconsistency of carbon calculations provided by airlines and travel agencies. These inconsistencies have led to confusion among consumers, which can hinder their ability to make accurate, eco-friendly decisions when booking flights.

Incorporating IATA CO2 Connect data through platforms such as Amadeus will help bridge this gap by offering more consistent and reliable emissions information. By standardizing the calculation of emissions across the industry, IATA CO2 Connect ensures that travelers receive accurate data, which can support their decision-making process and promote greater environmental awareness. This move is particularly important for companies in the travel industry, as they now have access to a trusted and widely recognized emissions data source that can be integrated seamlessly into their booking systems, whether they are airlines, travel agencies, or corporate travel managers.

The importance of transparency and accuracy in carbon emissions data has become even more critical as the world moves towards a more sustainable future. The introduction of IATA CO2 Connect marks a pivotal step in the right direction for the travel industry. By providing consistent emissions data at the booking stage, travelers are better equipped to choose environmentally responsible travel options. Whether it’s for personal reasons, corporate sustainability targets, or simply a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, passengers now have the power to make travel choices that align with their environmental values.

In addition to providing a valuable service to travelers, IATA CO2 Connect’s new ISO 14083 certification further strengthens its credibility and trustworthiness. ISO 14083 is an international standard for the measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically for the transport and logistics industry. The certification confirms that IATA CO2 Connect adheres to a unified approach for gathering emissions data, aligning it with internationally recognized standards for greenhouse gas reporting. This alignment provides a level of assurance to travelers and industry stakeholders that the emissions data they are receiving is accurate and reflective of real-world operational performance.

The ISO 14083 certification also sets the stage for broader industry-wide adoption of standardized emissions reporting. The standard is expected to become the foundation for the European Union’s Count Emissions regulatory proposal, which will define how emissions are calculated across all modes of transport within the EU. The proposal is a key step towards harmonizing emissions reporting within the region and ensuring that all transport sectors adhere to the same criteria when measuring their environmental impact. By incorporating ISO 14083 and IATA CO2 Connect into the travel industry, companies can ensure they are aligned with upcoming regulatory frameworks, particularly those in the European Union, where sustainability measures are being rapidly developed.

Europe strengthens its leadership in sustainable travel as Amadeus integrates IATA CO2 Connect, offering travelers real-time, accurate carbon emissions data at booking. This partnership empowers informed, eco-friendly travel choices across the region.

IATA CO2 Connect represents a significant shift towards more transparent, consistent, and reliable emissions data in the travel industry. As consumers increasingly demand more sustainable travel options, platforms that provide this type of information will play an essential role in helping passengers make more informed decisions. By providing travelers with reliable emissions data during the booking process, IATA CO2 Connect is establishing a new benchmark for environmental accountability within the travel industry. This step forward not only benefits consumers but also helps the travel sector meet the growing call for sustainability and accountability in the face of climate change. With ISO certification and support from industry leaders, IATA CO2 Connect is poised to help shape the future of carbon emissions transparency in global travel.