Towards a common methodology for calculating the CO2 footprint of corporate travel

The Business Travel ecosystem is moving towards a single standard for measuring in-flight emissions, thanks to a drive by IATA and an EASA-led project that could be mandatory in Europe from 2027.

 

One of the most frequent comments among travel managers (TMs) is the disparity in the methods used by different players in the business travel ecosystem to calculate carbon footprint. This lack of uniformity has hindered the comparability of data and the implementation of consistent sustainability policies. However, significant advances are on the horizon that could transform this scenario.

On the one hand, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published recommended practice RP1726, a detailed guide for calculating CO emissions per passenger on flights. This document, the result of industry-driven standardization work, establishes principles such as the use of audited historical fuel consumption data, differentiation by aircraft type and cabin class, and the exclusion of uncertain factors such as Radiative Forcing Index (RFI) or non-flight-related emissions.

The IATA methodology also provides recommendations for pre- and post-flight calculations, standby engine uses and emissions offsets, and introduces guidelines on how to integrate the impact of sustainable fuel use (SAF) according to GHG protocols.

At the same time, a project led by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is being developed in Europe with the aim of establishing a common methodology applicable to all airlines operating in European territory. This initiative could lead to a mandatory regulation as of 2027 or 2028. Currently, several working groups are actively collaborating to align the EASA and IATA proposals in order to avoid duplication and promote a coherent vision on a global scale.

These initiatives respond to the growing demand for transparency from passengers, companies and travel agencies, and represent a step forward to achieve a reliable and standardized measurement of CO? emissions in commercial aviation. Standardization will also make it easier for corporate sustainability programs to integrate consistent and comparable data, enabling more informed travel decision-making.