FCM rolls out global net-zero carbon offsetting program

Phootvoltaic panel from rear side with sunbeam in between.

By Travel Weekly

Global travel management company FCM has partnered with climate action player South Pole to launch a new global carbon offsetting program.

The program will also allow staff travel to be offset – and backdated to 2019 – once travel restrictions lift, and will help FCM provide clients with a net-zero solution to offset the impact of their travel.

The program enables clients to offset against global flights, hotel accommodation, rail bookings, car rental and other business travel components.

FCM can calculate, record and report monthly or quarterly CO2 emissions globally per item for each client, who can then choose from specific climate action projects against which to offset their total carbon footprint.

FCM and South Pole have compiled a list of 12 positive environmental impact projects worldwide, including forestry conservation or restoration and community energy or water programs.

Each is a global standard sustainability project, and clients can select one or up to four projects to suit their budget, geographic area and preferred impact categories.

The partnership also dovetails with the development of FCM’s new proprietary platform, which puts sustainability at the heart of the booking process.

FCM Platform’s sustainability dashboard shows travellers their individual stats in terms of travel CO2 emissions and enables travel managers to see total carbon footprint and CO2 savings achieved per month.

The future roadmap for FCM Platform includes functionality whereby the sustainability dashboard will also show carbon credits reporting for each client and how emissions translate into offsetting credits and projects.

Marcus Eklund, global managing director at FCM, said: “We’re making sustainability a core pillar of our customer offering for 2021, putting greater focus on guiding and supporting clients with their objectives, particularly in terms of CO2 reporting and a global net-zero solution that enables them to contribute to positive climate action.

“Sustainability has moved higher up our customer’s business travel agenda, despite the impact of COVID-19.

“In fact, after the travel bans of 2020 enabled companies to reduce their carbon footprint from travel significantly, many are not only re-emphasising their overall environmental objectives post-COVID, they’re making them an integral part of travel policies and RFPs.”

Melissa Elf, general manager at FCM Australia, said: “While sustainability has been on the travel agenda for many years, the disruption caused by COVID-19 has had a significant impact on business travel policies.

“Our customers are now more than ever seeking greener travel solutions to reduce their carbon emissions that align with their corporate social responsibility.

“Not only does the FCM Platform help our customers to better understand their own carbon footprint, it provides options to enable them to make low-carbon travel choices and offers an education tool that empowers them to change their behaviours across the whole travel journey.”

Featured image source: iStock/millionhope

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carbon offsetting program corporate travel fcm FCM Australia FCM Platform Marcus Eklund Melissa Elf net zero south pole sustainability sustainable travel