DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has launched an environmental programme to attain full industry certification of its global approach to managing climate change, waste, water consumption and emissions.
QA recently welcomed IATA representatives to Doha to launch the airline’s journey to achieving IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) stage 2 certification by December 2017.
The airline has achieved IEnvA accreditation at foundation level, and begun implementing additional environmental management system procedures to attain full certification to IEnvA stage 2.
The programme covers all aspects of QA’s global operations, including flight and ground operations and corporate activities.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, QA Group, said: “QA is a member of IATA’s Environment Committee, and as such our social and environmental responsibilities are of the upmost importance to us.
“We have made a firm commitment to allocate time and resources to continuously improve our environmental performance and establish a sustainable aviation industry.
“Ensuring strong environmental governance is a collective challenge for the airline industry.
“QA has been one of the pioneers of the IEnvA process and has pledged support to lead the industry to establish a bespoke environmental certification scheme that meets the unique environmental challenges facing airlines.”
QA’s role as a leading IEnvA airline mirrors the support it provided towards establishing IATA’s safety management system for airlines, IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit).
It was the first airline to achieve certification in 2003.
Tony Tyler, Director-General and CEO, IATA, said: “While several airlines have implemented other comparable environmental management systems that have proved to be very effective, IEnvA is the first environmental management system designed for the aviation sector and enables an airline to improve its environmental management and follow best environmental practice.
“I am delighted that QA has satisfied the stage 1 assessment and committed to implementing the stage 2 standards. This makes QA one of the world’s leading carriers in the areas of environmental responsibility and sustainability.”
The IEnvA programme uses environmental standards and recommended practices developed for the aviation sector by a team of environmental experts from within and outside the industry.
As part of the certification, IATA will independently assess the quality of QA’s environmental procedures and the extent to which its environmental management system is effectively implemented.The Peninsula
