Climate Impact in the Product Portfolio: Measure - Analyze - Reduce

Climate Impact in the Product Portfolio: Measure - Analyze - Reduce

There is broad expert consensus that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the tourism sector plays an important role in achieving international climate targets. In practice, however, suitable tools and concrete approaches are often lacking to systematically incorporate such information into product decisions.

In addition to presenting emissions data at the point of sale as a potential source of information for end customers and as a consultation tool for sales staff (see the project “Climate Action as a Decision Criterion”), transparency regarding the emissions associated with travel products should also be used within the product management of tour operators. The aim is to provide relevant decision-making information and support companies in giving greater consideration to climate-related aspects when developing and managing their products.

In this context, an important aspect—alongside travel distances and travel durations—is the consideration of different forms of mobility within tourism products.

Co-Creation Process for Integrating Climate-Related Criteria

This is precisely where the Futouris project “Climate Impact in the Product Portfolio: Measure – Analyse – Reduce” comes in. The project was funded as part of the LIFT Transformation Programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

By the end of 2024, a co-creation process involving representatives from academia as well as eight member companies of Futouris and forum anders reisen resulted in the development of practical key performance indicators (KPIs), analytical tools and training programmes. The aim was to strengthen the integration of climate-related data into product development and management.

The tools and insights developed are intended to support companies in systematically incorporating climate-related information into product decisions and deriving appropriate measures for their product portfolios.

Steps towards Successfully Achieving the Project Objectives

As a first step, the participating companies’ existing frameworks and conditions were analysed. This included identifying relevant planning tools and decision-making processes within product management for integrating emissions data into product design.

During a kickoff workshop with the pilot companies, initial approaches for KPIs, analytical tools and training programmes were developed, and key questions were discussed.

The subsequent focus was on developing analytical tools and KPIs. These are intended to support the analysis of product portfolios while taking emissions data into account. Building on this, various options for action in product design were examined, and a catalogue of measures was developed to support the further development of travel products.

The project also focused on raising awareness among relevant employees through appropriate training formats and programmes. These included in-person events, webinars and e-learning courses, which are continuously being further developed.

Various stakeholders, departments and management levels were involved in order to foster a broad understanding of the emissions-related impacts of travel products and possible courses of action.

The final step involved testing, optimising and disseminating the approaches developed. Product analyses conducted by the pilot companies, the identification of key emissions drivers and the development of potential courses of action formed part of this process.

A continuous feedback process enabled the concepts and tools developed to be further refined and optimised. The final results were published and made available to the tourism industry.

Project activities

The following activities are planned:

• Development of KPIs and analytical tools for incorporating climate-related data into product portfolios

• Development of approaches for integrating climate-related criteria into product design

• Development of needs-based training programmes

• Testing of the tools and implementation of a feedback process for optimisation

• Publication of the final results and communication of the findings to the tourism industry

Taking emissions data into account in tourism product portfolios requires suitable tools and concrete approaches for action. This is where the project comes in: practical tools were developed that can be integrated into existing product planning processes.

"LIFT Transformation" Funding Program

Through the “LIFT Transformation” funding programme, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) aims to support the tourism industry in addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and current future challenges facing the sector.

The programme seeks to develop practical solutions that can support companies in taking relevant sustainability aspects into account.