UC’s systemwide travel program has once again proven its leadership in sustainable travel. For the second time in three years, the program was named a finalist for the Business Travel News (BTN) Sustainability Awards 2025 – this time recognized in the Achievement in Sustainability for a Managed Travel Program category.
UC stood out as the only higher education institution and only nonprofit among six global finalists, going head-to-head with corporate giants like Zurich Insurance (this year’s winner). UC’s Director of Systemwide Travel, Debra Almason, spoke onstage at the international ceremony in New York to spotlight how UC is reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our travel program.
Earth Month Celebration Highlights
The commitment didn’t stop there. In April, the UC Central Travel Office held its 2nd Annual Earth Month Celebration, bringing travel partners together for a series of engaging sessions to share how they’re building more sustainable travel practices and driving positive community impact:
- Lufthansa on how staff actively engage worldwide to teach entrepreneurship under the UN charter for sustainable living.
- Southwest Airlines on creating a culture of caring by serving over 2,800 nonprofits like the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and many others.
- Hertz on their partnership with technical high schools nationwide in which they educate students on low-emission vehicles.
- Enterprise/National on their Enterprise Mobility program that offers innovative, flexible and accessible transportation solutions.
- Uber on its Uber Eats program for med students and residents at the UCLA David Gefen School of Medicine.
With over 460 attendees across six sessions, 97% of participants rated the series as satisfactory or neutral. Missed it? Watch the recorded sessions here: Earth Month Flyover Series.