Aviation Sustainability and the Environment, CAPA 12-Mar-2020
British Airways to remove 700 tonnes of single use plastic in 2020
Air New Zealand launches sustainable tourism website
Canberra Airport outlines additional sustainability strategies
Canberra Airport unveils 2020 master plan details
- British Airways aims to remove 700 tonnes of single-use plastic from its flights in 2020, replacing them with recyclable or reusable alternatives.
- Air New Zealand has launched a website promoting sustainable tourism operators and their activities that have been awarded a Qualmark endorsement for quality, safety, and sustainability.
- Canberra Airport has outlined additional sustainability strategies in its 2020 Environmental Strategy, including waste management and energy strategies.
- Canberra Airport has released its 2020 Master Plan, which includes plans for increased road connectivity, protection of endangered flora and fauna, and the potential development of a parallel runway.
- British Airways has commissioned an eco-artist to create a sculpture made from waste plastic to highlight its commitment to reducing single-use plastic.
- The aviation industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability and environmental initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment.
This CAPA report features a summary of recent aviation sustainability and environment news, selected from the 300+ news alerts published daily by CAPA. For more information, please contact us.
British Airways to remove 700 tonnes of single use plastic in 2020
Belfast City George Best Airport announced (11-Mar-2020) British Airways will remove 700 tonnes of single use plastic on board its services in 2020, amounting to more than 250 million individual items of plastic.
The airline previously rolled out initiatives to remove 25 million individual items of single use plastic p/a, and set a target to increase this by more than 700%. British Airways has been working with suppliers to identify alternatives to single use plastic items, and will replace as many as possible with recyclable or re-usable items or items from sustainable sources in 2020.
British Airways customer experience manager Kate Tanner stated: "Our customers have told us that they want to see these changes and we're pleased to have made real strides in our journey to becoming more sustainable. We've spent a long time researching how to make sustainable changes without causing environmental impact elsewhere". [more - original PR]
Original report: British Airways Reveals New Target To Reduce Single-use Plastic From Flights By The End Of 2020
British Airways has announced a new target to remove more than 700 tonnes of single-use plastic on board its flights in 2020, amounting to more than a quarter of a billion individual items of plastic and equivalent to more than 30,000 suitcases full of single-use plastic*, even more than the number of bags customers check in with the airline at Heathrow on an average day.
The airline has already rolled out initiatives to remove 25 million individual items of single-use plastic on board each year, equivalent to 90 tonnes, and has now set itself an ambitious target to increase this by more than 700%.
British Airways has been working closely with its suppliers to identify alternatives to single-use plastic items, and this year it will replace as many as possible with recyclable or re-usable items or items from sustainable sources.
To date, the airline has achieved the following plastic reductions:
• Swapped plastic stirrers with bamboo alternatives
• Reduced plastic packaging on Club World amenity kits
• Swapped plastic wrapping for all bedding and blankets for paper wrapping (currently being rolled out across all cabins)
• Removed plastic wrapping on headsets and instead placed these inside paper charity envelopes in World Traveller cabins
• Water bottles on board are made from 50% recycled plastic
• Removed inflight retail plastic bags
The target also includes finding alternatives to single-use plastic cutlery, tumblers, cups, toothpicks and butter packaging on board.
The airline described the process of making these changes as complex, with a significant amount of research required to ensure that the alternative products sourced are credibly sustainable, offer the same hygiene levels as their plastic counterparts and do not outweigh the items they replace.
Kate Tanner, British Airways' Customer Experience Manager said:
"Our customers have told us that they want to see these changes and we're pleased to have made real strides in our journey to becoming more sustainable. We've spent a long time researching how to make sustainable changes without causing environmental impact elsewhere.
"For instance, we are looking at the amount of water and detergent needed to wash metal cutlery and how often it needs to be replaced versus using plastic or bamboo cutlery.
"We've looked at how we ensure blankets and other items can be kept clean without a plastic covering and the lifespan of all the new items compared to the existing ones. Some potential replacement options may be heavier, which would then have an impact on the weight of the aircraft and therefore on our emissions, so we must ensure we are making the right choices on all replacements."
The airline has a team of more than 170 War on Waste cabin crew champions who promote best practice among crew and identify potential new initiatives to improve waste reduction and recycling practices on board.
British Airways says it now expects its suppliers to offer sustainable alternatives as standard and will be making continual changes to its onboard products as they become available.
To mark the new target British Airways commissioned eco-artist Sarah Turner to create a giant suitcase made from a thousand pieces of waste plastic, including 160 spoons, more than a dozen plastic stirrers, drinks lids, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, catering dishes and covers and bottles.
The sculpture, which represents the 30,000 suitcases worth of plastic waste being removed, is currently on display at British Airways' Headquarters near Heathrow. British Airways is committed to reducing its environmental impact.
In October 2019, the airline committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. From January this year, British Airways began offsetting carbon emissions on all its flights within the UK and is investing heavily in new, more fuel-efficient aircraft and in the development of sustainable aviation fuels.
Air New Zealand launches sustainable tourism website
Air New Zealand launched (11-Mar-2020) a new website to promote local sustainable tourism operators and their activities and attractions that have been awarded a Qualmark endorsement for commitment to quality, safety and sustainability. The website, developed in partnership with Bookme, offers more than 170 Qualmark endorsed activities.
Air New Zealand tourism partnership manager Jenny Simpson stated: "There is a growing trend internationally towards sustainable tourism and Air New Zealand is committed to supporting New Zealand operators who share the same goals". [more - original PR]
Original report: Air New Zealand shines light on sustainable tourism operator
Air New Zealand shines light on sustainable tourism operators, through promotion of Qualmark sustainable activities
Redwoods Treewalk (twilight tour) is one of the Qualmark-certified tourism experiences that can be booked through https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/sustainable-activities.
Air New Zealand is taking steps to support local sustainable tourism operators through launching a website promoting activities and attractions awarded a Qualmark endorsement for their commitment to quality, safety and sustainability.
The new website, https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/sustainable-activities, was developed in partnership with award-winning Kiwi platform provider, Bookme, and at launch offers more than 170 Qualmark endorsed activities.
Amongst the activities sold on the site are winners of the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards, acknowledged for demonstrating excellence in sustainable visitor experiences; Kaitiaki Adventures, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Redwoods Treewalks, Franz Josef Glacier Guides, Real Journeys cruises and Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa.
Air New Zealand has also developed a 14-day itinerary of New Zealand that features Qualmark activities available to purchase on its website. The itinerary aims to encourage visitors to experience New Zealand wildlife first-hand and go behind the scenes to see how tourism is contributing to protect native wildlife and benefit local communities. This was developed on the back of Air New Zealand's latest Safety Video featuring a lost takahe and highlighting New Zealand's biodiversity challenges.
Air New Zealand's Tourism Partnership Manager, Jenny Simpson says the airline is committed to supporting tourism businesses that are equally committed to making New Zealand a world-class sustainable visitor destination.
"There is a growing trend internationally towards sustainable tourism and Air New Zealand is committed to supporting New Zealandoperators who share the same goals. One of the ways we can do this is by selling the activities of Qualmark sustainability-rated operators on our New Zealand website."
What does a Qualmark endorsement mean?
QUALMARK GOLD AWARD:
A Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It puts exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.
QUALMARK SILVER AWARD:
A Silver Sustainable Tourism Business Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism businesses that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure that the business has a real focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create tourism products that are a genuine, constantly improving, sustainable experience.
QUALMARK BRONZE AWARD
A Bronze Sustainable Tourism Business Award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.
Canberra Airport outlines additional sustainability strategies
Canberra Airport announced (Mar-2020) its 2020 Environmental Strategy builds upon previous environmental strategies. Additional issues raised in the 2020 Environmental Strategy include:
- Ongoing review of the Canberra Airport environment management system;
- Review of existing practices and the development and implementation of a waste management strategy for the airport site;
- The review of current technology and practices and the development and implementation of a formal energy strategy for the airport site, as well as a review of the Canberra Airport water management plan. [more - original PR]
Excerpt from original report: AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY MASTER PLAN 2020
1.2 FUTURE DIRECTION
This Environment Strategy builds upon previous environment strategies. Additional issues raised in this 2020 Environment Strategy include:
- The ongoing review of the Canberra Airport Environment Management System;
- The review of existing practices and the development and implementation of a Waste Management Strategy for the Airport site;
- The review of current technology and practices and the development and implementation of a formal Energy Strategy for the Airport site; and
- The review of the Canberra Airport Water Management Plan.
Canberra Airport unveils 2020 master plan details
Canberra Airport announced (Mar-2020) the following highlights within its 2020 Master Plan:
- Commitment of being in touch with the community, governments, and business about the development of the site and ongoing integration into the social, economic growth and prosperity of the region;
- Taxiway works over "the next eight years", operating without night time restrictions;
- Inclusion of a parallel runway concept, requiring the acquisition of land adjacent of the Fairbarn precinct from the Australian Government;
- Increased road connectivity to meet traffic demands of a growing region;
- Continued protection of endangered flora and fauna present on the airport site;
- Commitment to liaising with and contributing to endangered species research, as well as commitment to the management of natural resources and heritage values across the airport. [more - original PR]
Excerpt from original report: Executive Summary
Over the next eight years the focus of Canberra Airport is to host more inbound passengers on more aircraft across a wider range of airlines. The 2020 Master Plan outlines expectations of both more international and low cost carriers commencing services within the next eight years resulting in more than nine million passengers by 2040. We are passionate about connecting the Canberra Region to international ports and opening doors for business. There are opportunities in the areas of inbound tourism, education and investment and outbound business services and the airfreight of goods and produce. This objective continues to receive support from the community and government across the region.
The Canberra Airport ethos is to invest early to provide room for growth. Capacity available across the Airport site in aviation, retail and office facilities is an economic and social opportunity shared with the Canberra Region.
The award-winning terminal is the foundation for aviation growth at Canberra Airport. Opened in April 2014 by the Honourable Tony Abbott MP, then Prime Minister, the 'splendid' $480 million terminal and accompanying apron and car parks have been designed and built to be capable of hosting over eight million domestic and international passengers a year, with a designed extension to 12 million passengers.
A number of Airport precincts have come of age as noticeable contributors to the Canberra economy. Most notably in 2018/19, Majura Park attracted over four million regional shoppers and the Brindabella Business Park now houses over 9,000 employees. Each element of the Airport site is poised with capacity to service the growing transport, office and retail requirements of the 1.2 million people expected to be living in the region in 2040.
Airport management are committed to being in touch with our community, governments and with business about the development of the site and ongoing integration into the social, economic growth and prosperity of the region. The Airport partakes in a number of established stakeholder forums focused on a vision where the growth of the region is enhanced by the growth of its airport.
The opening of IKEA in November 2015 on ACT land adjacent Majura Park is an example of new investment in our region by an international company, leveraging off the Airport's investment in retail and office facilities at Majura Park. IKEA now provides a unique service and international brand to the region.
More recently the Airport was pleased to work collaboratively with the ACT Government in securing international flights in 2016 and the significant growth in the start-up services in 2018. In 2017, the NSW Government acknowledged Canberra Airport as a key Global Gateway to NSW. The repositioning of our region as a Global Gateway is already providing real social and economic dividends.
Jobs across the airport site are forecast to grow from 14,000 now (9,500 confirmed in Brindabella Business Park) to 16,000 by December 2020, 20,000 by 2025/28 and 36,000 by 2040 in response to growth in aviation as well as retail and office expansion and the region's economy.
The main Runway 17/35 is international Boeing 747 long-range ready, with taxiway works planned over the next eight years to provide greater efficiencies in ground movements. In consultation with airlines, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Airservices Australia, navigation aids will continue to be upgraded to enhance operability in low visual conditions. The runways and airfield will continue to operate without night-time operation restrictions, representing a competitive advantage for the region particularly for international flights and movement of freight.
The 2020 Master Plan discusses aviation capacity for the Canberra Region in 50-60 years' time which is when the main runway is forecast to reach its practical limits. Airport management has included a parallel runway concept which requires the acquisition of land adjacent the Fairbairn precinct from the Australian Government