Sustainability pressure is intensifying on every front. Expectations from executives, regulators and travelers continue to rise, and the financial risks linked to incomplete or inaccurate emissions data are becoming harder to ignore. Even as some regulations shift, the overall demand for reliable reporting and clear proof of progress is growing. This year is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for travel programs that want to stay ahead.
But the real challenge in 2026 isn’t deciding whether sustainable travel matters.
It’s navigating a landscape where expectations are rising faster than clarity, where emissions data is increasingly scrutinized, methodologies are questioned, and well‑intentioned programs can quickly lose credibility if results can’t be explained or defended. In this environment, progress is defined by how confidently organizations can stand behind their data and decisions.
Leading travel programs are responding by moving away from fragmented sustainability efforts and toward more connected, end-to-end approaches.
A connected approach to sustainable travel
Introduced in late 2024, BCD Travel’s Sustainability Solution reflects this shift, giving companies a unified experience through one contract and flexible integration.
It connects BCD’s core tools with advanced climate technology from SQUAKE, a leader in automated emissions calculations and point of sale access to high quality carbon credits and sustainable aviation fuel.
Advito, BCD’s consulting division, adds expertise in program design, benchmarking and traveler engagement so organizations can turn insights into measurable change.
Specifically, the solution provides companies with:
- Real-time emissions data and dynamic carbon fees in major booking tools
- Solution pathways tailored to different maturity levels
- Centralized dashboards and reporting aligned with widely used methodologies, including those used under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- Access to transparent portfolios of Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and certified carbon compensation projects
- Automated fee collection, cost center allocation and behavior nudging campaigns
- Audit grade, tokenized emissions data that provides a verifiable trail for every emission value
Siemens Switzerland is one example of a company already seeing value. According to Gerd Scheller, the collaboration with BCD and SQUAKE supports both emissions reduction and seamless reinvestment in sustainable aviation fuel.
The business case has never been stronger
2026 is not only about compliance. It is also about building travel programs that support enterprise performance, resilience, and stakeholder trust. Several factors are shaping the business case:
1. Commercial impact from smarter choices
Switching air to rail can cut emissions by up to 92 percent and reduce costs by nearly half. Selecting efficient aircraft and sustainable hotels delivers reductions in both carbon and spend.
2. Rising expectations across the organization
Boards, leaders and employees want transparency and credible action. Sustainability is now a factor in how companies judge performance and partner value.
3. A critical skill for travel managers
Travel teams are expected to answer deeper questions about emissions, data quality and program design. Progress strengthens trust and improves performance in RFPs.
4. Greater influence in enterprise sustainability plans
As organizations accelerate toward 2030 climate goals, credible travel emissions strategies open the door to more collaboration and higher visibility within cross functional teams.
In short, sustainable travel has become a requirement for responsible leadership, not an optional initiative.
Taking action in a defining year
According to BCD president and CEO Stephan Baars, organizations need the right data, tools and strategic guidance to turn commitments into measurable outcomes. BCD’s Sustainability Solution, supported by SQUAKE’s capabilities, helps companies act with clarity and reduce the complexity that often slows progress.
2026 is the year to move beyond intention and build travel programs that align sustainability with business value programs that are resilient, defensible, and ready for what comes next.