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Continental Travel Peru: Pioneering Carbon-Neutral Business Travel with Green Initiative

Continental Travel is setting the bar high in the business travel industry in Peru with its global commitment to carbon neutrality. At Green Initiative, we are pleased to announce that Continental Travel has started its journey to decarbonize its corporate operations and services. This strategic leadership decision follows several years of investments in sustainability efforts. They have also increased their technical capacities for climate mitigation. “Starting this journey towards carbon neutrality is not just a strategic move for Continental Travel; It’s a way to show our commitment to leading the industry in responsible travel. By measuring, reducing, and offsetting our carbon emissions, we’re setting a new standard for corporate travel services in Peru. We want our clients to know that we are actively contributing to a more sustainable future, with clear, science-based reports on our decarbonization efforts.” As a result, Continental Travel will be positioned as the first corporate business travel operator to achieve Green Initiative’s Carbon Neutral Certification. This achievement will lead the sector into a new standard for low-carbon emissions in corporate travel. Continental Travel is a Peruvian travel operator with over two decades of experience. They have a deep understanding of the international business travel market. Their clients span various industries, including banking, mining, healthcare, energy, and textiles. How Business Travel is Leading the Charge Towards Net-Zero Emissions Business travelers are becoming more committed to achieving net-zero emissions. This includes their own corporate operations and value chains. Marcos Piera, General Director at Continental Travel, states that business travel agencies should not be part of the problem. Instead, they should add value to their corporate clients by measuring, reducing, and offsetting CO₂ emissions. They should also provide consistent and transparent reports with science-based evidence of decarbonization progress. The work led by Continental Travel is innovative but not isolated. Worldwide, the business travel industry is becoming more sophisticated in decarbonizing its services. The power of business travel is significant. Leading flight companies are putting additional pressure on Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer to accelerate progress towards cleaner fuels and more efficient engines. Corporations around the world may reduce business travel due to their need for public pledges and international carbon mitigation goals. By partnering with Green Initiative and undergoing the Carbon Neutral Certification process, Continental Travel is demonstrating its proactive stance in reducing carbon emissions associated with its operations. This initiative aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, such as the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism. This UN initiative aims to catalyze climate and nature-positive action. But what does this mean for business travel? Continental Travel Peru’s bold move toward climate-smart business travel in partnership with Green Initiative is not just about reducing carbon emissions. It’s about leading by example and inspiring positive change within the industry. Take the Next Step Toward Climate-Smart Business Travel Are you ready to elevate your business travel to the next level? Contact us to learn more about our expert advisory services and how your company can become a climate-smart leader in your industry. Join Continental Travel, Green Initiative, and many more businesses that are making a tangible difference for our planet. Written by Tatiana Otaviano, from the Green Initiative team.

Green on the Tag, But How Green Underneath? Understanding the Impact of the EU Greenwashing Directive on Fashion

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The European Union is taking a bold step against greenwashing in the fashion industry with a new Greenwashing Directive included in the European Green Deal. The EU’s Directive is more than a regulatory measure; it’s a call to action for the fashion industry to align its practices with the decarbonization goals that the EU is pursuing. It encourages brands to rethink their climate impact, from production to promotion, and to engage in a more transparent dialogue with their customers. Set to reshape the industry by mid-2026, this Directive not only targets greenwashing but also heralds a new era of consumer empowerment. It demands that fashion brands align their marketing with consistent sustainability efforts, ensuring that claims of green practices are not just statements with little or no content, but a real change in business models. The Heart of the Directive: Defining and Regulating Environmental Claims At its core, the Directive takes a firm stance on “generic environmental claims” – those broad statements made across various media, lacking specific substantiation right where the claim is made. Phrases like “biodegradable” or “eco-friendly” will now face rigorous scrutiny unless accompanied by precise, verifiable information. For instance, a claim that packaging is “biodegradable within one month in home composting” is considered specific and thus acceptable under the new regulations. Sustainability Labels: Beyond Environmental Aspects The Directive also casts a spotlight on “sustainability labels”, expanding their scope to include not just environmental, but social characteristics as well. This move underscores a holistic approach to sustainability, recognizing that true environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with social responsibility. Labels must now be backed by a certification scheme or established by public authorities, ensuring their credibility and relevance. Blacklisted Practices: A Clear Boundary Against Misleading Claims One of the Directive’s most potent tools against greenwashing is the introduction of a “blacklist” of business practices deemed unfair under all circumstances. This includes the use of sustainability labels not based on solid certification schemes or those developed by companies without third-party verification. The Directive makes it clear: to wear the mantle of sustainability, one must bear the weight of proof. Stricter Regulations on Greenhouse Gas Claims In an era where carbon footprints are moving to be as much a part of product descriptions as sizes and colors, the Directive tightens the noose on claims related to greenhouse gas emissions. Statements like “climate neutral” or “CO2 neutral certified” are now permissible only if they refer to actual effects on the product’s life cycle, not just offsetting measures outside the product’s value chain. A Timeline for Transition The Directive sets a timeline for its implementation, with member states given 24 months to incorporate it into national law, followed by a six-month grace period for companies to comply. By mid-2026, the fashion industry must align with these new standards, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards genuine sustainability. The Directive’s Impact on the Fashion Industry For the fashion industry, this Directive is not just a regulatory hurdle but an opportunity to redefine its relationship with sustainability with the aim to remain competitive. Brands are now compelled to ensure that their environmental claims are not only accurate but also meaningful. This push towards transparency is expected to foster a deeper trust between consumers and brands, paving the way for more sustainable consumption practices. In conclusion, the European Union’s Greenwashing Directive is a bold step forward in the fight against greenwashing in the fashion industry. By setting clear, enforceable standards for environmental claims and sustainability labels, it challenges brands to live up to their green promises, ensuring that the future of fashion is not just stylish, but sustainably so. For advice on how the Green Initiative can help your company address the new Directive to develop its competitive advantage, please contact us. Written by Alexandra Goodman from the Green Initiative team.

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