Skyscanner has announced a partnership with Edinburgh-based ecotech startup Pawprint that will see the global travel firm strengthen its commitment to tackling climate change.

Through the partnership, Skyscanner’s 1000+ global employees have been invited to use the Pawprint app, which helps users measure, understand and reduce their carbon footprints at home and at work.

Within just twelve hours of roll-out, Skyscanner revealed that employees across Europe, Asia, America and the UK were already actively using Pawprint, taking over 400 individual actions to reduce their carbon footprints and saving 9.1 tonnes of CO2e within the first day.

Pawprint is one of a growing number of businesses harnessing technology to tackle the world’s biggest issues, and was recently highlighted by the UK Government as a key ‘Climate Leader’.

Founded by Christian Arno in 2020, Pawprint is now used by nearly 50 businesses, including Royal London, innocent and CGI. Arno believes this latest partnership with Skyscanner could mark a significant step in improving sustainability across the global travel industry.

He said: “Skyscanner’s global success has already put Scotland on the tech map cementing Edinburgh’s reputation for business innovation.

“Following this new partnership we are really optimistic that having an innovator as respected as Skyscanner using Pawprint and taking a proactive stance in tackling climate change will drive change and create real impact in the travel sector.”

Skyscanner carbon commitments

In recent years, Skyscanner has made several commitments to help drive and support sustainable travel. Notably, it pioneered the introduction of a ‘greener choices label’ which highlighted flight options that emit less CO2.

Similarly, the firm also launched the ‘Traveller Footprint’ profile in-app to help people understand the impact of their personal travel and gave users the ability to carbon offset flights booked via the Skyscanner platform.

Recommended

• Leader Insights | The switch to an EV future with Steve Tigar, loveelectric
• Digital poverty reversal in the UK must happen on a “national scale”
• National Robotarium project aims to help AIs understand people

Skyscanner’s sustainability lead, Alix Farr, said the company is passionate about tackling climate change an improving sustainability – and the Pawprint partnership will empower individual employees to play their part  in a global effort.

She said: “Our people are passionate about sustainability, so we’re excited to partner with Pawprint to engage with our employees around the impact of everyday actions and how to reduce their own footprints.

“And with leader-boards and prizes for those who reduce their impact the most, it’s set to be both educational and fun.”

Farr added: “At Skyscanner, we want to play a role in helping to shift the travel industry to sustainable foundations. We’re working to ensure our own business operates sustainably, by creating a Net Zero roadmap as part of our commitment to the Glasgow Declaration.”

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

The DIGIT newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.