INTRODUCTION
At TAG, we recognise our responsibility to operate in a way that supports the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our communities. As a global leader in travel and events, we are committed to creating a positive environmental and social impact. By embedding sustainable practices into our operations, we aim to ensure the destinations and communities we engage with remain vibrant, resilient, and beautiful for generations to come.
PURPOSE
This policy outlines TAG’s commitment to sustainability and guides our efforts to minimise environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and uphold economic viability. It establishes a framework for sustainable development across our global operations, supply chains, and communities, aligning our business practices with international standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SCOPE
This policy applies to all TAG employees, contractors, and stakeholders across our global offices, including locations in the UK, US, APAC, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.
DEFINITIONS
- Sustainability: The balanced integration of environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- Sustainability Performance: The effective management of resources—including energy, water, waste, and procurement—to minimise negative environmental and social impacts.
POLICY STATEMENT
TAG Travel Group is committed to minimising the environmental, social, and cultural impacts associated with our business operations. Sustainability is a core value that informs our decision-making, fostering responsible business practices that support the well-being of our employees, communities, and the environment.
Our commitments include:
- Driving cultural change within TAG to embrace sustainable practices.
- Promoting the use of responsibly sourced, renewable resources.
- Encouraging local and Fair-Trade procurement.
- Supporting global and regional initiatives to enhance sustainability awareness and performance.
OBJECTIVES
- TAG will record Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions using Green Project Technologies across all TAG offices, ensuring accuracy and transparency in environmental reporting. Green Project Tech provides automated data collection and carbon accounting, fully compliant with the GHG Protocol, allowing TAG to efficiently track and manage emissions data with high precision.
- TAG is committed to expanding its participation in the EarthCheck program by onboarding at least one additional TAG office annually to ensure continuous improvement in sustainability performance.
- TAG aims for the APAC region to achieve EarthCheck Silver Certification within the next two years
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Stakeholder Engagement:
- Provide education and resources to staff and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.
- Foster partnerships with local and international organisations aligned with our goals.
- Implement an annual sustainability survey to gather employee feedback, monitor sentiment, and identify opportunities for new initiatives. Results will be reviewed by the Regional Green Teams and used to refine practices.
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Diversity and Inclusion:
- Strengthen diversity in leadership and ensure equal opportunity for all employees.
- Set measurable targets to increase representation of women and minorities in management roles, with annual reviews to track progress.
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Practical Alignment with Global Goals:
- Focus on energy efficiency and waste reduction initiatives.
- Prioritise partnerships with local suppliers and communities to support economic growth, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
- Encourage responsible consumption and production practices in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
COMMITMENTS
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Sustainable Operations
- Optimise energy efficiency by utilising sensor lighting, efficient appliances, and regular equipment maintenance, where possible.
- Conduct periodic energy audits to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption and implementing efficiency improvements.
- Encourage employees to adopt sustainable commuting practices, such as walking, cycling, or public transport.
- Where possible, implement water-saving measures, including dual-flush toilets and high-efficiency dishwashers, and conduct regular maintenance to prevent leaks and water wastage.
- Establish a responsible printing policy to minimise paper use by promoting digital alternatives and requiring double-sided printing as the default.
- Develop office guidelines for reducing single-use plastics.
- Engage with landlords and shared office providers to advocate for improved sustainability measures within leased spaces, including waste management and renewable energy adoption.
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Responsible Procurement
- Prioritise local products and services to support regional economies.
- Adhere to Fair Trade principles in all purchasing decisions.
- Source office consumables made from recycled or renewable materials.
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Waste Management
- Encourage recycling and waste segregation programs in all offices.
- Encourage the use of recycling and recovery programs for consumables like printer cartridges and batteries.
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Climate Action
- Offset carbon emissions from business travel and events through credible offset programs, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).
- Encourage virtual meetings and remote collaboration to minimise travel requirements.
- Partner with environmental organisations to implement programs, such as reforestation initiatives.
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Sustainable Conferences and Events
- TAG commits to embedding sustainability principles into the planning and execution of our regional annual conferences. This includes:
- Reducing single-use plastics and encouraging the use of reusable or compostable materials for catering and giveaways.
- Partnering with venues and suppliers that prioritise sustainability.
- Measuring and offsetting carbon emissions associated with conference activities, including travel and event logistics.
- Encouraging delegates to engage in sustainable behaviours during conferences, such as recycling, minimising food waste, and participating in local community impact initiatives.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Sustainability Policy will be implemented through:
- Regular presentations and workshops led by the Regional Green Teams and sustainability leaders.
- Internal communications, including email updates, to ensure ongoing engagement with employees.
- Publicly sharing TAG’s sustainability commitments and progress on our website.
- Partnering with external advisors and auditors to enhance sustainability practices.
MONITORING & ACCOUNTABILITY
TAG Travel Group is committed to tracking and evaluating the effectiveness of our sustainability initiatives to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.
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Sustainability Data Tracking:
- TAG partners with EarthCheck, a globally recognised benchmarking and certification group, to measure sustainability indicators such as energy consumption, carbon emissions, water usage, and waste management.
- For offices not yet participating in EarthCheck, TAG records Scope 1 & 2 emissions using Green Project Tech, an automated carbon accounting platform compliant with the GHG Protocol, ensuring accurate and reliable environmental reporting.
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Performance Review and Reporting:
- EarthCheck provides comprehensive reports to identify areas for improvement.
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Continuous Improvement:
- TAG will expand EarthCheck participation across all offices.
- The regional Green Teams oversee implementation and compliance.
- Sustainability updates will be communicated internally and externally when appropriate.
POLICY REVIEW
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure relevance and effectiveness. The next review date is January 2027.
Jens Penny
Chief Executive Officer, TAG
Date: 24 February 2025