Climate change

Gatwick expansion: transport secretary signals support for second runway plan

Heidi Alexander confirms government’s backing for airport expansion, with a decision on a second runway at Gatwick due on Thursday, but reiterates growth must be balanced against environmental realities

What is a carbon budget? And what will the UK's latest – its seventh – mean for travel?

With aviation and cruise set for the first time to be included in the UK’s next carbon budget, which is due this month, how can travel continue to grow while reducing its environmental impact?

Gatwick expansion: when is the decision due and what's at stake?

It’s a big week for Gatwick, which will find out whether the government will support its plans to almost double passenger numbers by bringing its standby runway into permanent use

Noel Josephides: ‘What damage is travel's relentless pursuit of growth doing?’

‘We’re all rushing to find answers to travel’s emissions problem – so would the best solution not be to moderate growth?’ writes Sunvil chair Noel Josephides for TTG

TTG Sustainability Festival returns in March – sign up to attend

TTG’s online festival helping travel agents boost their knowledge and confidence for selling more responsible travel is back!

Industry must work together on emissions and ‘compare apples with apples’ – Intrepid

UK and Ireland director Hazel McGuire has called on the industry to have a unified approach when it comes to measuring emissions

Heathrow airport expansion: everything you need to know

Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday (29 January) confirmed the government will back expansion at Heathrow, and potentially at other London airports. So what are the ins and outs for travel?

Heathrow expansion 'must be within carbon budget', says top minister

Net zero secretary Ed Miliband has told MPs any expansion of Heathrow and other airports must fall within the government’s carbon budget or not go ahead

Cost remains bigger priority for majority of travellers than green concerns

A WTTC report has found consumers are still prioritising cost over sustainability issues, but offers solutions as to how to change the mindset

Selling Scandinavia: the best things to recommend to clients in 2025

There’s never been so much attention on Scandinavia as luxury travellers seek cooler countries to visit and deeper cultural and wildlife experiences

Wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles prompt urgent FCDO alert

Wildfires are currently spreading throughout the Los Angeles area, with the FCDO issuing advice to UK visitors

Put brakes on airport expansion plans, campaigners urge transport sec

Coalition of climate groups urge new transport secretary Heidi Alexander to review planning guidance around aviation and heed the government’s Climate Change Committee’s advice and recommendations before ruling on any further airport expansion plans

Govt insists it is keen to avoid 'unnecessary' air fare hikes amid carbon clampdown

Ministers open consultation on how to marry Europe’s emissions trading scheme with global systems to avoid duplication and fare increases

'Sometimes, it makes sense not to fly – but not when our rail system is so mind-bendingly useless'

The UK can’t yet afford to cut domestic air routes when rail isn’t always an adequate alternative, writes co-chair of Aito’s Sustainable Travel Committee Amy Skelding after an eye-opening European rail journey

Time for action: how can the luxury travel sector become more sustainable?

With its higher carbon footprint per passenger, the luxury travel industry is finding alternative ways to provide a more sustainable product.

New BBC documentary predicts fare rises and disputes flying's green claims

A prime-time BBC documentary, Cheap Flights, has put aviation’s green efforts under scrutiny and warned of fare increases

Lufthansa Group extends green levy fare despite sluggish take-up

Lufthansa Group’s Green Fares option has been extended across its worldwide network covering all its brands except Eurowings

Storm Bert: 'We're a little soggy but we're here to stay', says travel agency boss

Traveltrail director Charlotte Barnett will not move her agency business somewhere despite being hit by Storm Bert floods at the weekend

Ambassador pulls remaining 2024 Amsterdam calls due to climate protests

An Ambassador spokesperson told TTG the cruise line will decide whether to return to Amsterdam in 2025 before the end of the year. Climate protestors in the city have repeatedly targeted cruise vessels in 2024 forcing a number of lines to remove Amsterdam from cruise itineraries at short notice

Heathrow boss: 'Airport expansion decision to be made next year'

Heathrow’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye has said a decision on a third runway will be made next year but needs the backing of the industry and government

Half the world's top travel firms making progress on sustainability, says WTTC

A new roadmap from the World Travel and Tourism Council says more than half the world’s top travel brands are taking sustainability initiatives

Crystal Ski sales '20% ahead of 2019' despite climate concerns

Managing director Chris Logan says Crystal is now larger than it was pre-Covid and is optimistic about the future, despite concerns resorts will see less snow due to climate change

'Why I support Cop29's 'polluters pay' principle – even as a global travel business leader'

The "polluter pays" idea is about forcing those at fault for the climate crisis to take responsibility, and it’s about time we extended the same expectation to the tourism industry,’ writes Intrepid Travel chief James Thornton for TTG

'Nature is a big part of the holiday experience; we must take steps to preserve it'

’It’s important nature is supported and biodiversity is restored so it can continue its important role tackling global warming, and travel has a really big role to play in supporting this work," writes Abta head of sustainability Carol Rose for TTG