CWT carbon calculator to be integrated into online self-booking tool

A carbon calculator allowing business travellers to calculate and compare the carbon cost of travel when booking has been unveiled by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

CWT has been working with its client the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop the first phase of the carbon calculator, which will be used across the government department.

The travel management company aims to create an online integrated self-booking tool showing travellers the amount of C02 emitted by a planned journey alongside the financial cost - and suggest a less "carbon heavy" option. This is due to be made available to CWT clients from April.

CWT online booking global product director David Tibbles indicated that as the carbon calculator continues to develop there would be benefits for travel providers in addition to business travellers.

He said: "This is an incredibly powerful way of demonstrating the options available to individuals in terms of reducing the impact of travel on the carbon 'footprint'

"We envisage that further phases of the carbon calculator will incorporate increasingly detailed information and features such as a comparison of emissions by different airline routes depending on the type of aircraft operated. We will also start to look at the hotel market in a similar way.

"A significant number of organisations are looking to ramp up their efforts in terms of environmental reporting. CWT is able to work with clients to help refine their travel policies and processes accordingly.

"The new carbon calculator is the latest in a series of developments in this area, and will ultimately provide organisations with the means to monitor carbon emissions from travel, for reporting purposes and assessment against sustainability targets."

by Phil Davies

Tuesday, February 13, 2007