In a major step towards sustainability in travel, the Trip.com Group, a global leader in travel services, has launched a new feature providing quantified CO₂ emissions data for essential modes of transport, including flights, car rentals, airport transfers, and trains (in Europe). This initiative spans numerous global destinations, making it easier for travelers to make environmentally conscious decisions as they book their trips worldwide.

With the introduction of this new feature, users can now access detailed information on CO₂ emissions for rental cars listed on the Trip.com platform. Thanks to collaboration with the Association of Car Rental Industry System Standards (ACRISS), the platform allows travelers to compare emissions from electric, hybrid, and conventional vehicles. This addition empowers travelers to choose eco-friendly options for their rental car needs, helping minimize their carbon footprint across various global destinations.

In addition to rental cars, the CO₂ emission data for airport transfers has been incorporated. This allows travelers to evaluate and select the most environmentally friendly transportation options for each leg of their journey, ensuring greener travel experiences at global destinations. The new feature, detailed in the latest sustainability report from Trip.com Group, also highlights significant progress in promoting eco-consciousness in the travel industry.

Trip.com Group’s Broader Commitment to Sustainability

The Trip.com Group’s sustainability efforts are broad and multifaceted, aligning with its overarching goal to become CO₂-neutral by 2050. As part of their “Friendly-Four” concept community-friendly, family-friendly, eco-friendly, and stakeholder-friendly Trip.com is intensifying its initiatives in each of these areas. The sustainability report highlights key achievements such as the company’s push to encourage over 100 million bookings for sustainable travel products in 2024, which marks a significant commitment to reducing the environmental impact of tourism.

The company also continued to integrate renewable energy into its operations. Notably, the solar panels installed at its headquarters and on the so-called “land houses” generated a clean 457 MWh of electricity in 2024. This move significantly reduced the carbon footprint associated with its business operations. In addition, the Trip.com Group has taken steps to measure and report on all Scope-3 emissions, which include indirect greenhouse gas emissions from sources like rented data centers and business travel, enhancing the company’s sustainability accountability.

Expanding the “Land House” Program for Sustainable Tourism Development

Another key area of Trip.com Group’s sustainability focus is its contribution to rural development through tourism. The company’s flagship “Land House” program has expanded to 34 locations, creating over 40,000 indirect jobs and providing substantial economic benefits to local communities. More than 80% of employees at these land houses are local residents, and the villages participating in the program have experienced an average increase of $5,500 in per capita income.

This year, the “Land House” program is set to expand further to additional global destinations, continuing its role in fostering sustainable tourism and economic development in rural regions. By combining sustainable travel with local economic empowerment, the program plays a crucial part in Trip.com Group’s strategy to create a positive environmental and social impact.

Family-Friendly Initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility

Trip.com Group is also strengthening its position as a leading family-friendly employer. With women representing 57.1% of the global workforce, the company has made notable strides in gender equality, with 32.7% of upper and middle management roles held by women. Additionally, the company has prioritized work-life balance through its hybrid work model, which has been adopted over 630,000 times by employees to date. This initiative has saved an estimated 1.25 million commuting hours, helping employees balance their professional and personal lives more effectively.

As part of its commitment to supporting families, Trip.com Group introduced three additional days of childcare leave in April 2024. This initiative is designed to help working parents better balance their personal and professional commitments. Furthermore, the company’s childcare subsidy program, introduced in 2023, has already provided financial support for over 900 children, with more than $468,000 distributed in 2024 alone.

Corporate Governance and Future Commitment to Sustainability

The Trip.com Group has also made significant advancements in corporate governance, earning an “A” rating from MSCI ESG. This rating reflects the company’s efforts to enhance transparency and foster sustainable practices across its operations. The company’s strong focus on responsible corporate practices and its ongoing partnerships with more than 230 destination marketing organizations highlight its commitment to promoting inclusive tourism development.

Trip.com Group’s sustainability strategy continues to evolve, with a clear emphasis on long-term commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. By offering travelers access to CO₂ emissions data for key transport modes, expanding rural tourism programs, and strengthening its family-friendly policies, the company is working to ensure that sustainable travel is both accessible and impactful across global destinations.

The company’s continued focus on these efforts underscores the growing importance of sustainability in the travel industry and positions the Trip.com Group as a key player in shaping a greener, more inclusive future for tourism worldwide.