Etihad Airways has launched a new corporate rewards programme focusing on sustainability to support and deliver sustainability objectives for corporate partners through carbon offsetting, SAF investments, and green surcharge pricing.

The airline says Corporate Conscious Choices is explicitly designed for organisations committed to reducing emissions and operating sustainably, with rewards and incentives designed to proactively support pro-environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and employee behaviour.

SAF Investment, Green Surcharges, Corporate Conscious Miles, and Carbon Offsets are cited as the four main sustainability pillars that the programme benefits from.

It is more than simply a business objective, according to Etihad Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas: “Sustainability has long been at the top of Etihad’s agenda as the most critical long-term focus of our business.” It’s a duty and obligation of doing business because of the impact organisations have on society as leaders, assisting consumers in making sustainable choices in their daily lives.

“We have put a lot of focus on what governments and regulators should be doing to battle climate change, but the fact is we need corporates’ help, and there is an equal responsibility for corporates to do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint while leading by example to help consumers to live more sustainably.

“All corporates and organisations need transportation, whether it’s for travel or their supply chain. Our aim with the launch of Corporate Conscious Choices is to recognise those corporations that take the most sustainable actions through rewards and recognition.”

One of the world’s largest business travel management companies, CWT and Accenture, have partnered with Etihad to help launch their new programme, which the airline claims is already popular with corporations.

Since the program’s awards and incentives can be tailored to any of the program’s four core pillars, Etihad Airways claims that Corporate Conscious Choices was developed as an open platform.

As a vital component of a sustainable future for air travel, sustainable aviation fuel has the potential to reduce nett carbon emissions by 80 per cent over its entire lifespan, from manufacture to use. Corporate partners will be able to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel in bulk from Etihad through Corporate Conscious Choices, which is fully accredited and can be used to offset company Scope 3 emission requirements.

Green Surcharges: Corporates can opt to have a “Green surcharge” added to each corporate travel flight ticket, which is then invested in offset solutions, such as SAF, mangrove planting, re-forestation, or community projects in Africa. The surcharge will pay or partially pay for the emissions created by staff on business travel, and these investments will be fully accredited where possible to provide the corporate with Scope 3 emission reductions.

Corporate Conscious Miles: When business travellers fly on Etihad and earn Etihad Guest Miles, the airline will award the miles to their organisation. In addition to this, Corporate Conscious Points can be used to offset corporate travel everyday activities or purchase sustainable products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. Etihad will further reward businesses should their employees make conscious choices as provided within the Etihad Guest programme.

Carbon Offsets: Corporate Conscious Points can be invested in either an Etihad Offset programme or a programme of the corporate’s choice to offset the emissions produced on every Etihad business travel flight. The Etihad solutions will be accredited where possible and contribute to the corporation’s Scope 3 reduction and scope 1 reduction for Etihad.

Considering government pressure on corporations to demonstrate and enforce ESG standards, Etihad will also work with partners on other ESG initiatives to integrate offset schemes within corporations.

As a complement to Etihad Guest Green Loyalty’s Conscious Choices programme, the airline claims that Corporate Conscious Choices will help and encourage customers to make environmentally friendly travel and lifestyle choices.