Says Environmental Commitment Began In 1997 -- "Well Before It
Was Fashionable"
With its first Airbus A380 superjumbo
now flying between Dubai and the US, Emirates
recently unveiled a series of new initiatives to improve the
environmental performance of its operations worldwide. The program,
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. The site -- at the FMI link below -- 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.
"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," said Sheikh Ahmed
bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates Chairman and CEO. "Our environmental
commitment began well before it was considered fashionable, when we
sponsored the creation of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in
1997."
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.
Al-Maktoum adds Emirates is investing billions of dollars in new
aircraft that are fuel efficient, and enviromentally responsible.
The biggest (literally) example of Emirates' plan is the A380,
billed as the most enviromentally-friendly airliner on the planet
on a per-passenger basis.
"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," he said.
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 110 tons of paper,
plastic and aluminum a month.
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
percent of the total land mass.