You Can’t Reduce What You Can’t See: Fixing the Travel Emissions Data Gap

As sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve, travel managers are increasingly being asked to support carbon emissions audits and demonstrate progress towards reduction targets. Yet for many organisations, gathering accurate emissions data remains one of the biggest challenges. Hear from experts Pippa Ganderton from Direct Travel, and Kit Aspen, CEO and founder of Thrust Carbon for their take.

The problem? Fragmentation.

Many businesses work with multiple travel management companies, expense providers and booking tools, each applying different carbon calculation methodologies. This creates inconsistent data, lengthy manual processes and uncertainty when it comes to reporting.

During a recent discussion between Direct Travel and Thrust Carbon, industry experts explored why travel emissions data is often broken and what organisations can do to fix it.

Better Data, Better Decisions

Reliable emissions reporting starts with a single source of truth. By bringing travel data together and applying one consistent methodology, organisations gain a clearer picture of their travel footprint and can significantly simplify auditing and compliance processes.

“Good data is more than just a reporting requirement, it becomes a business tool. It helps organisations identify where emissions are being generated, which departments or traveller groups are driving them, and where meaningful reductions can be achieved without compromising essential business travel.”

Kit Aspen, CEO Thrust Carbon

Beyond Reporting to Action

Reducing emissions is not as simple as reducing travel. Business travel remains critical for customer relationships, growth and collaboration.

The real opportunity lies in using data to make smarter decisions. Understanding traveller behaviour, supplier choices and trip purpose enables organisations to build targeted strategies that reduce carbon emissions while maintaining business outcomes.

For busy travel managers, quality data also saves valuable time. One example shared during the session highlighted a global financial services organisation that reduced the time spent completing its annual travel emissions audit by 50% through improved data management and visibility.

Closing the Data Gap

The combination of Direct Travel’s Avenir platform and Thrust Carbon’s emissions intelligence helps organisations address these challenges by embedding high-quality carbon data throughout the travel lifecycle from point of sale through to an audit-ready reporting environment.

The result is a clearer view of emissions, more confidence in reporting, and the insights needed to turn sustainability goals into measurable action.

“You can’t improve what you can’t see. Trusted travel emissions data gives organisations the confidence to report accurately, identify meaningful opportunities for reduction and make sustainability part of everyday business decisions rather than a once-a-year reporting exercise.”

Pippa Ganderton, Director of Sustainable Travel and Events, Direct Travel