How Nordic Leisure Travel Group achieved SBTi validation in just over a year

Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) is the leading integrated travel operator in the Nordics, with over 3000 employees and 1.5 million holidays delivered annually across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Its business covers tour operations, an airline, hotels and in-flight retail under brands such as Ving, Spies, Tjäreborg, Globetrotter, Sunclass Airlines, Sunwing Family Resorts, Sunprime Hotels, O.B.C. by Sunwing, and AirShoppen. This vertical integration delivers a seamless customer experience but adds complexity to carbon accounting and validation.

Although NLTG’s hotels were Travelife certified and its fleet had begun transitioning to more fuel-efficient aircraft, the company sought a unified, third-party framework to validate its overall sustainability progress and share results with confidence.

Pursuing validation under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) became a strategic choice to anchor NLTG’s climate goals in a science-based framework and share progress clearly with investors, partners, and customers.

Fast-track to SBTi: NLTG’s journey with Normative

In 2023, NLTG engaged Normative to pursue SBTi validation and reinforce its climate strategy. Under the guidance of a dedicated Normative climate advisor, the company launched its most ambitious emissions data initiative, collecting and structuring scope 1, 2 and 3 data across tour operator operation, airline, hotels, retail operations and administration.

Achieving a unified emissions baseline required close collaboration across business units and careful navigation of legal and regional reporting requirements. This thorough aggregation process not only satisfied updated SBTi criteria but also laid the foundation for a strong data-governance framework for all future cross-departmental and cross-country reporting.

In just over a year, NLTG completed its full emissions baseline, secured SBTi validation for near term targets, and published its inaugural Sustainability Report (2024). The approved targets are:

• Reduce CO₂ emissions per revenue passenger kilometre by 19% for Sunclass Airlines by 2030 (2023 baseline)
• Cut Scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (2023 baseline)
• Ensure 50% of suppliers have SBTi-validated targets by 2029 (2023 baseline)

These milestones deepened internal insight into emissions drivers and positioned NLTG for seamless CSRD reporting.

Outcomes: Strategic business value and enhanced transparency

Achieving SBTi validation gave NLTG more than a formal climate credential, it helped the company build internal alignment, meet stakeholder expectations, and unlock tangible business value. The process clarified emissions across the business and positioned NLTG to lead sustainability in a highly scrutinized sector.

• Operational support: Continued investments such as 100 percent renewable electricity for own operated hotels and fleet modernization with Airbus Neo aircraft reinforce long-term reduction targets.
  
• Supply chain momentum: Committed to SBTi-aligned targets for 50 percent of suppliers by 2029, extending climate action into procurement.
  
• Partnership strength: Met rising expectations from valued partners by providing ambitious targets and reliable climate performance data.
  
• Regulatory readiness: Developed reporting processes aligned with CSRD requirements, proactively addressing future compliance requirements.

Strategic partnership and looking ahead

NLTG partnered with Normative for its data-driven platform and expert support, which turned a complex SBTi process into a clear, manageable roadmap. When SBTi refined its validation criteria halfway through the project, Normative’s agile guidance ensured the team adapted seamlessly and stayed on schedule.

Reflecting on the journey, Malmose advises peers to start early, engage across functions and leverage expert partners to simplify complex climate goals.

NLTG continues to build on its sustainability achievements through investments in startups and emerging technologies that support climate innovation. At the same time, the company views this work as an ongoing journey. While today’s data provides a solid starting point, it is far from perfect. With strong support from Normative, NLTG is committed to continuously improving data quality and validity, moving closer to a complete and accurate picture of its total emissions. This dedication positions NLTG as a proactive and accountable company in the travel sector committed to credible climate action.