The business travel sustainability trends set to define 2026

Sustainability continues to evolve from an industry aspiration to a practical, measurable, and increasingly traveller-driven expectation. Within ATPI, two people stand at the forefront of that shift: Pippa Ganderton, Director of ATPI Halo, and Louisa Toure, ATPI’s Sustainability Officer. 

As 2025 draws to a close, we sat down with Pippa and Louisa to explore the sustainability forces set to shape business travel in 2026 and beyond. Together, they paint a picture of what’s coming next. The landscape they describe is one where data gets sharper, travellers get louder, suppliers more transparent, and the industry edges closer to truly responsible travel and events programmes.

Carbon reporting moves from important to essential 

For both leaders, the biggest shift ahead revolves around data accuracy and accessibility. 

Pippa is unequivocal: “I anticipate this to be the prime area of focus for many corporates. Sustainability remains on the agenda irrespective of political polarisation, and the demand for better, more granular reporting will only grow.” 

She expects corporates to push hard for carbon budgeting capabilities that help Travel Managers track and manage departmental emissions using robust, auditable data. Organisations with mature reporting systems will shift from simply measuring to actively mapping their route to Net Zero. Those just starting out will treat accurate data as the crucial first step. 

Louisa shares this frustration with “generic” or over-simplified figures, adding a traveller-centric angle: “When every flight option shows the same generic emissions estimation, travellers lose the ability to compare accurately and choose the lowest-impact flight. Flights that look identical can differ significantly in fuel efficiency, load factors and operational practices.” 

For her, the next major leap will be transparent, granular emissions data available at the moment of booking, empowering travellers to make informed, sustainable choices. 

Gen Z: Redefining what responsible travel looks like 

Gen Z continues to push companies further than any generation before them. 

Louisa highlights their ability to cut through marketing noise: “Gen Z are far more in tune with identifying greenwashing and true sustainable initiatives.” 

But their expectations stretch beyond emissions. They connect wellbeing with performance, and business travel is no exception. From fitness access to safe hotel locations to healthy food options, Gen Z want business travel that doesn’t compromise physical or mental health. 

They also travel differently. Pippa notes: “They want to travel, but are more aware of sustainability. They’re more willing to take the train within Europe, and travel policies may need adapting.” 

Their desire to experience destinations more fully is also reshaping programme design: “Travel as an experience means ground transport becomes more important. There’s also an appetite for bleisure travel, and policies will need to adapt.” 

SAF: From talking point to tangible action 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel remains one of the industry’s most complex yet promising tools. 

Pippa believes 2026 will mark a shift from interest to adoption: “I suspect we’ll finally see more voluntary uptake of SAF through Book & Claim schemes. Corporates will come under pressure to show tangible CO₂e reduction strategies.” 

But she’s quick to emphasise that credibility will become the defining factor in buyer confidence: “ISCC registry entry and certificates of product source and quality will be key, as corporates ensure they avoid greenwashing accusations.” 

She also predicts more accessible entry points for newcomers, with point-of-sale SAF options making participation easier: “Start small and scale up,” she advises. “Buyers should seek expert guidance to choose the right product and plan.”  

Louisa builds on this point with an important reminder: even small-scale SAF purchases matter. “When more buyers participate, even in lower volumes, it sends a strong and vital demand signal to suppliers,” she explains. “That collective demand is what ultimately drives increased production and availability in the future.” 

Sustainable suppliers: Visibility, verification and comparability

Both Louisa and Pippa call out the same challenge: organisations want reliable information, but the lack of industry-wide standards makes consistency difficult. This is as much a challenge for suppliers as it is for buyers, with many providers working hard to demonstrate their progress but facing a fragmented landscape. 

Louisa explains the frustration clearly: “There are a few internationally recognised sustainability assessments, but overall, it’s very difficult to compare suppliers side by side with the array of different methodologies and information they provide.” 

She expects demand to grow for simple, comparable, standardised sustainability metrics: “People need straightforward indicators that cut through technical jargon and sub-standard methodologies.”  

Louisa also highlights the growing frustration on the supplier side, who are increasingly being asked to complete multiple sustainability due-diligence questionnaires, all in different formats. The time spent providing the same information in countless variations is unnecessary and counterproductive, and she sees a real need for greater alignment across the industry.  

Pippa agrees that supplier transparency will become a sourcing essential: “Tangible proof will be requested by more Travel Managers, especially those taking part in disclosure audits. Suppliers will make their sustainability goals more visible because they’re becoming part of the buying criteria.” 

Simplicity: The final piece of the sustainability puzzle 

As data volumes increase and expectations rise, Louisa sees one universal need: clarity: “I expect to see a push for sustainability information to be clearer, more concise and easier to compare. Simple, standardised metrics will make it easier to understand and make informed responsible choices.” 

In other words, sustainability in 2026 isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s about being able to explain it clearly, measure it accurately, and compare it confidently. 

A year defined by expectation and empowerment 

From traveller behaviour to supplier transparency to corporate carbon strategy, 2026 is shaping up to be the year when sustainability moves from aspiration to action. Across the board, Louisa and Pippa see the same shift: people want clarity, credibility and choice and they’re ready to hold organisations accountable for delivering it.