Hanover, 23 August 2022

Focus on real reductions rather than offsetting emissions: TUI Group submits environmental targets for scientific validation by SBTi

  • Future TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel:“I am convinced that the sustainable transformation pays off – for society, for the environment and for business."
  • TUI targets arecomprehensive, science-based and backed up by roadmaps
  • Emission reduction targets for airlines, cruise business and hotels submitted

Focusing on the reduction of emissions rather than offsetting them, TUI Group is now having its own reduction targets scientifically verified. It has submitted its targets for reducing emissions from its aircraft, cruise ships and hotels to non-governmental organisation Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation. Accreditation of these targets is expected by the end of this year and will confirm that the ambitious 2030 emission reduction targets set by TUI are based on the latest findings of climate science and are in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The initiative shows companies and financial institutions how much and how quickly they should reduce their emissions in order to achieve the goals agreed in the Paris Climate Agreement to combat global warming. More than 3,000 companies worldwide are already working with the initiative.

TUI Group has set itself the goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its operations by 2050, at the latest. An important step towards this are the 'emissions roadmaps' for its airline, cruise and hotel business areas. They represent 99% of the Group's emissions. For each of the three business segments, detailed studies have been carried out and action plans have been developed to realise significant reductions in emissions by 2030. The action plans contain comprehensive packages of measures – from the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the expansion of renewable energy sources for power generation in TUI Group hotels to the latest technologies to reduce emissions in the cruise business. The plans are part of a comprehensive TUI Group Sustainability Agenda, which will be presented shortly.

"We want to set the standard for sustainability in the market and live up to our commitment as market leader. Our focus on emissions is clear: We are committed to avoiding and reducing emissions rather than offsetting them. Our airlines are already among the most carbon-efficient in the world. We have continuously invested in new aircraft and today fly a very modern and carbon-efficient fleet by German, European and international standards. Our cruise ships use the latest technologies to reduce emissions. We are operating solar power systems in some of our hotels. What is clear, is that we want to and we will speed up and do more. I am convinced that sustainable transformation is not a cost factor, but that sustainability pays off – for society, for the environment and for business. We will also motivate our partners and provide more incentives to invest in sustainability, for example in the construction and conversion of hotels, transfers at holiday destinations, for the development of excursions or the purchase of food from local producers," says Sebastian Ebel, future TUI Group CEO.

Further details on TUI Group's plans and targets for emissions reduction will be announced after accreditation by SBTi.

Website of Science Based Targets initiative: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/

About TUI Group

The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its 19 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 17 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.  

Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.

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