American Express Global Business Travel has added a sustainability recommendation feature for Egencia users that provides guidance on ways companies can reduce carbon emissions from their travel programs, the travel management company announced. Egencia Sustainability Recommendations Tool

The feature uses data around a company’s traveler behavior and carbon emissions to provide program recommendations, such as short flight routes where rail alternatives are available, highlighting flights that are more carbon-efficient than average for travelers in search results and steering travelers to cabin classes with a lower carbon footprint on shorter flights, according to Amex GBT. Travel managers can implement the recommendations through a direct link to their policy page.

“Our integration of personalized recommendations will give travel managers greater control of the environmental impact of their travel program and empower them to make data-informed decisions that can drive progress towards achieving their company’s sustainability goals,”

Amex GBT SVP of product and engineering John Sturino said in a statement.

Additionally, the feature provides information from Amex GBT’s sustainable aviation fuel procurement platform Avelia, and travel managers can see carbon reductions in their programs related to SAF. Egencia Sustainability Recommendations Tool

Market Context

Egencia’s new tool echoes similar sustainability initiatives from competitors like SAP Concur, which integrates carbon emissions data and sustainable travel options into its booking platform, and TripActions (now Navan), which has also been introducing sustainability dashboards and carbon offset options. However, Amex GBT is raising the bar by not merely presenting emissions data but embedding actionable recommendations—such as encouraging rail over short-haul flights and suggesting more carbon-efficient aircraft or lower-impact cabin classes—into the booking journey itself.

This is crucial, as recent GBTA reports indicate that while 87% of companies claim sustainability is a priority, less than 30% have embedded it into their travel policies in a meaningful way. Tools like Egencia’s are critical to bridging that gap between intention and action.

The Power of Data and Integration

The integration with Avelia, Amex GBT’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement platform, is a strategic differentiator. While SAF is still limited in availability and relatively costly, making emissions reductions visible and tied to SAF investments can drive greater transparency and corporate buy-in. This also positions Amex GBT at the center of a growing ecosystem of SAF stakeholders, including airlines like United, Lufthansa, and Delta, which are investing heavily in sustainable fuel solutions.

Strategic Implications

Amex GBT is making a clear bet: that corporate clients increasingly want—and need—to quantify and reduce their travel emissions, not just for compliance, but to meet stakeholder and investor expectations. This aligns with pressure from frameworks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which now include travel-related emissions in Scope 3 calculations.

By embedding sustainability deeply into the UX (user experience), rather than treating it as a checkbox or an add-on, Amex GBT is positioning Egencia not just as a travel tool but as a corporate ESG enabler.

Looking Ahead

The broader trend is clear: Sustainability in travel is shifting from reactive offsetting to proactive emissions avoidance and reduction. As regulations tighten and traveler sentiment shifts—especially among Gen Z and millennial professionals—platforms that integrate sustainability in a seamless, data-driven way will become the industry standard. Egencia’s new tool is a strong step in that direction.

In conclusion, Amex GBT’s move is not just a tech upgrade; it’s a strategic realignment with the future of corporate travel. By embedding sustainability into the core booking and policy experience, they are setting a precedent others in the space will likely follow—or risk being left behind.