On the eve of taking delivery of its first eco-efficient Airbus A380, Emirates today unveiled a series of new initiatives to further improve the environmental performance of its operations worldwide.
The programme, branded Emvironment, includes 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 has also launched a new section on its website that features information on the Group’s management of environmental issues.
www.emirates.com/english/about/environment outlines Emirates’ 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.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group said: "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. 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 organisation as sustainable as possible and we intend to keep our stakeholders regularly informed on progress and future initiatives."
Emvironment will focus on reducing already low levels of per passenger fuel-burn and emissions and driving eco-efficiency throughout the organisation by reducing, recycling and reusing resources.
Emirates 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 100 tonnes of paper, plastic and aluminium a month.
Andrew Parker, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Public and Environmental Affairs said: "From an environmental perspective, Emirates has much to be proud of, particularly our advanced fleet and use of technology to minimise our footprint. While much of this work has been underway for many years, the new Emvironment programme will provide a strategic underpinning to further improve our environmental performance.
"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."
Commercial aviation, which accounts for two per cent of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, has made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact. IATA, 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.
Next year, Emirates will open 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 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 per cent of the total land mass.
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
