Why 2026 is the year to allocate a sustainability budget

As organisations prepare their 2026 travel and event programmes, sustainability is no longer a discussion point: it’s a decisive factor.

With sustainability frameworks such as Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Green House Gas Protocol and even the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) now setting clear expectations, ESG performance has evolved from a reporting exercise into a driver of smarter, more resilient business practices. Transparent data and measurable action don’t just demonstrate compliance – they unlock new opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and impact.

A dedicated sustainability budget ensures that organisations have the right resources to measure, reduce, and compensate for travel-related Scope 3 emissions, while aligning with evolving standards in carbon accounting, net zero, and climate resilience.

The new emerging reality: Corporate Emissions Disclosure

Corporate sustainability legislation in Europe, the UK and California is coming into effect. Despite the much anticipated 2025 CSRD being delayed, and its Omnibus I rejected, corporate focus on both mandatory and voluntary emissions disclosure remains high.

The EU’s CSRD, which comprises the most stringent requirements, demands, companies apply the concept of double materiality, analysing both how sustainability affects their business and how their business affects people and the planet.

This shift means that business travel, meetings, and events can no longer be viewed as incidental emissions. They often represent a significant share of an organisation’s Scope 3 footprint, which is central to any credible decarbonisation strategy.

Organisations that prepare early will not only be able to deliver credible, audit-ready ESG disclosures in 2026 but also gain a competitive edge – proving that responsible travel management can enhance both performance and reputation.

From insight to impact: ATPI Halo’s approach

With ATPI Halo’s Measure – Reduce – Compensate methodology, organisations can translate sustainability goals into tangible results:

• Measure: Access precise CO2e data across every travel category using the Thrust Calculator, NetZero Forecaster, or ATPI Carbon Analytics dashboards – enabling predictive, data-driven planning.
• Reduce: Drive immediate decarbonisation with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), route optimisation, and strategic emissions scenario planning.
• Compensate: Address unavoidable emissions through verified carbon removal and nature-based solutions, such as Amazon forest protection in Brazil (Envira) and clean energy generation in India (Everest Starch Facility).

Together, these tools deliver measurable progress, strengthen compliance, and protect against greenwashing, demonstrating real ESG leadership.

Why early budgeting matters

Embedding sustainability into travel planning isn’t just about meeting regulations – it’s about creating long-term value. The organisations investing now are shaping more efficient travel programmes, building trust with stakeholders, and positioning themselves as leaders in the low-carbon transition.

Proactive planning pays off. By embedding a sustainability budget now, organisations can:

• Prepare credible, audit-ready ESG reports ahead of CSRD deadlines
• Empower travel and procurement teams with accurate carbon data
• Implement carbon budgets that balance business growth with responsible decarbonization
• Build trust through transparent, results-driven action

 A robust sustainability budget is also adaptable, evolving as both business priorities and sustainability criteria change – ensuring continued progress and resilience on the path toward net zero.

Leading the way to 2026

2026 will be a defining year for sustainability leadership. By setting a sustainability budget today, organisations can take control of their impact, strengthen compliance, and drive measurable progress, transforming responsibility into results.

A sustainability budget is, at its core, a strategic investment in progress. It funds initiatives that measure, reduce, and compensate for travel-related CO₂e emissions – from carbon analytics and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to verified carbon removal projects. This approach not only supports compliance but also fuels innovation, resilience, and a stronger stakeholder story.

Addressing Scope 3 emissions is essential, as these often form the largest share of a company’s footprint. And while carbon offsetting alone is no longer enough, combining real emission reductions with verified carbon removal and nature-based solutions remains vital to achieving net zero in a credible, responsible way.

With ATPI Halo, organisations gain the insight, data, and technology to make sustainability a reality, turning every journey into a meaningful step toward a more responsible future.