Emirates Airline puts focus on the environment

Dubai’s Emirates Airlines on Monday unveiled a program called Emvironment, a series of new initiatives to further improve the environmental performance of its operations worldwide.

Dubai’s Emirates Airlines on Monday unveiled a program called Emvironment, a series of new initiatives to further improve the environmental performance of its operations worldwide.

The move comes as the Dubai-based airline is to receive its first eco-efficient Airbus A380. Emvironment, according to Emirates, will include the adoption of a new environmental policy for the Emirates Group, a global staff awareness campaign, and internal goals to reduce energy consumption and waste, as well as increase recycling and training.

“Emirates is committed to acting responsibly and sustainably in the interests of our customers, our business, the environment and the 100-plus destinations we serve worldwide,” HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive for Emirates Airline and Group. “Our environmental commitment began well before it was considered fashionable, when we sponsored the creation of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in 1997.”

He added: “Emirates is investing billions of dollars in new aircraft that demonstrate our environmental leadership through the most fuel- and emission-efficient fleet possible. Our A380s are the world’s most eco-efficient commercial aircraft. Emvironment’s aim is to make our organization as sustainable as possible and we intend to keep our stakeholders regularly informed on progress and future initiatives.”

Emirates has also launched a new section on its website that features information on the Group’s management of environmental issues. The site, wwww.emirates.com/english/about/environment, outlines the airline’s environmental policies, the eco-efficiency of the A380 and wider fleet, the airline’s conservation-based resort projects, efforts currently in practice across the Group, and information on flight operations that positively impact fuel and emission reduction.

Added Emirates, “Emvironment will focus on reducing already low levels of per passenger fuel-burn and emissions and driving eco-efficiency throughout the organization by reducing, recycling and reusing resources. “

Emirates has claimed that it invests heavily in new research and technologies to address the world’s environmental challenges. For example, the airline helped to pioneer Flextrack with Airservices Australia to use onboard navigational technology that saves time, fuel and emissions. Kitchens at Emirates Flight Catering are among the most eco-efficient in the world and recycle over 110 tons of paper, plastic and aluminum a month.

“From an environmental perspective, Emirates has much to be proud of, particularly our advanced fleet and use of technology to minimize our footprint,” said Andrew Parker, Emirates’ senior vice president Public and Environmental Affairs. “While much of this work has been underway for many years, the new Emvironment program will provide a strategic underpinning to further improve our environmental performance.

He added: “We intend to do more to demonstrate industry leadership, including the adoption of higher standards in fuel burn; onboard weight reduction; procurement; resource consumption; and recycling. On the ground, this particularly means more efficient use of energy and water.”

The airline added that it is hoping to launch next year one of the world’s most environmentally ambitious conservation resorts, the 4000-acre Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in the Blue Mountains in Australia. The project, according to the airline, involves restoring vast tracks of distressed farming land back to its native state and reintroducing endangered fauna and flora. The US $69 million resort will only occupy about one percent of the total land mass.

Commercial aviation, which accounts for two percent of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, has made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact. Montreal-based International Air Transport Assocation, the industry’s governing body, and its member airlines are implementing a four-part strategy, to further improve aviation’s eco-efficiency. More details are available on www.enviro.aero .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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