Creating a people-power driven future
Having a hand in creating brighter futures through global sustainability and social equality, means a lot more than just talk to the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG). The forward thinking company and its many corporate brands, including Corporate Traveller, are actively engaged in walking the talk as a responsible global citizen.
Since committing to the United Nations Global Compact in 2017, FCTG has made significant inroads into changing corporate behaviours and both educating and influencing the behaviours of its partners, clients and travellers.
The United Nations Global Compact is a non-binding pact to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation annually. The pact is aimed at upholding principles via the implementation of company policies related to Human Rights, Labour, the Environment and Anti-Corruption.
In line with the United Nations, FCTG is committed to sustainable development goals which include ending hunger and poverty, promoting health and wellbeing, inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, gender equality, female empowerment, sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption, taking action on climate change, marine and ocean conservation, promoting sustainable management of forests, combating loss of diversity and many more.
“FCTG is committed to helping all stakeholders understand the impact of the travel and tourism industry on key issues such as environment, community engagement and modern slavery,” said Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner FCTG CEO. “We are in a unique position which enables us to promote and implement sustainable travel principles through our brands, to achieve outcomes that are truly global.”
Building Brighter Futures where we work, live and play
As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, FCTG has accrued an extensive list of achievements throughout 2018-2019. As reported in the company’s second Communication on Progress to the United Nations, FCTG has made considerable progress but the company is aware that its Corporate Social Responsibility journey is really just beginning. Just a few of the initiative highlights realised across the globe over the past 12 months include –
• 12,000+ SolarBuddy lights provided for children living in energy poverty around the world (Australia)
• Introduction of Co2 reporting for clients (Ireland)
• FCM Travel Solutions achieved the Level 1 BBBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) Contributor status - the highest possible rating (South Africa)
• Discova family brand Buffalo Tours supported child safety in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and delivered Child Safe training to all employees in Myanmar (Asia)
• Wellness initiative “Active Hour“ launched and flexibility actively embraced with 98% requests approved (UK)
• Major sponsor supporting Junior Disability Games (New Zealand)
• 297,610 meals provided to food insecure North Americans (USA and Canada)
• 74% of senior leaders are women (South Africa)
• Second Cambodian Children’s Trust Advocacy Trip to Cambodia to empower vulnerable families to keep their children at home, not in orphanages (Australia)
• 500+ animals rescued (USA and Canada)
• Family brand Topdeck diverted ½ tonne single use plastic from landfill through reusable containers for passengers (Europe)
A positive social impact
The implementation of the United Nations Global Compact principles is also reflected in our global Brighter Futures program – designed to build brighter futures through responsible travel, empowered giving, egalitarianism and unity and sustainable practices. As a global travel business, FCTG has come to understand the vulnerability of our planet and its people – along with our own capacity to drive positive change. As a result, we are committed to promoting and selling travel that respects all human rights, the environment, wildlife and social equality.
You can find more details in FCTG’s full 2019 Communication on Progress.