Aviation Sustainability and the Environment, CAPA 19-Nov-2020 Analysis

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.

Lufthansa Group launches new Miles & More carbon offsetting mobile app

Lufthansa Group integrated (16-Nov-2020) its CO2 offsetting platform Compensaid into a new Miles & More mobile application named 'mindfulflyer'.

Using the new app, passengers can now see the CO2 emissions of their flight at a glance and can more easily and quickly opt to offset these emissions.

The new offer is available for all Lufthansa Group flights as well as for travel with Star Alliance and JV partners for which the traveller has received or used Miles & More miles. [more - original PR]

Original report: CO2-neutral flying - Miles & More customers now compensate their flights by click

CO2-neutral flying is now even easier for Miles & More customers thanks to a new offer. Customers can now see the CO2emissions of their flight in the Miles & More app. They can offset these emissions directly with just a few clicks. The new offer is available not only for all Lufthansa Group flights, but also for travel with Star Alliance and joint venture partners for which the customer has received or used Miles & More miles. The new application is called "mindfulflyer". It was developed jointly by Miles & More and the Lufthansa Innovation Hub.

CO2-neutral flying - Miles & More customers now compensate their flights by click
Miles & More app has integrated Compensaid, the digital CO2 compensation platform of the Lufthansa Group
With the new "mindfulflyer" application, CO2 compensation is thus much easier and can be done directly using miles
"The CO2 compensation of a flight should not be complicated. With the new 'mindfulflyer' service, our passengers can see the CO2 emissions of their flight at a glance and can now offset them easily and quickly, even using miles. We want to actively promote sustainable behavior," says Christina Foerster, Lufthansa Group Executive Board Member for Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility.

"mindfulflyer" as activation for sustainable action
With the "mindfulflyer" function the participants can be reminded to compensate their flights regularly. The customer decides how much Sustainable Aviation Fuel or certified reforestation projects of the myclimate climate protection foundation are used. Using the Cash & Miles function, the customer can also decide whether to offset with miles only or also proportionately with euros. For their commitment to climate protection, Miles & More participants will receive digital awards, such as the "Climate Supporter", which distinguishes them as environmentally conscious travelers. These awards can be shared via social media channels to inspire other travelers to compose their flights as well.

"Customer loyalty without sustainability no longer works - our customers expect solutions from us that enable climate-friendly travel," says Sebastian Riedle, Managing Director of Miles & More GmbH. With the integration of the 'mindfulflyer' offer we are fulfilling this expectation while making climate neutral travel as simple as possible."

Compensaid as the central compensation offer of the Lufthansa Group
With Compensaid, the Lufthansa Innovation Hub created the central compensation offer within the Lufthansa Group in 2019, which is regarded as the industry's first mover for end-customer-related compensation of fossil fuels through Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The integration of Compensaid into the Miles & More app has now been completed and will significantly increase visibility even further.

"We are very pleased that our new compensation option has now become available in the Miles & More app. This way we are giving even more customers access to sustainable travel and demonstrating how digital technology can be used to make this easier and more transparent," says Gleb Tritus, Managing Director Lufthansa Innovation Hub.

In addition, Miles & More members also have the opportunity to offset their air travel directly within the Compensaid platform. To do so, they just have to log in to compensaid.com with their Miles & More data. The CO2 compensation option via the Compensaid platform makes it possible to offset flights even before they take-off.

Lufthansa Group takes responsibility
The Lufthansa Group has been committed to a sustainable and responsible corporate policy for decades and takes its responsibility seriously. The Group is firmly committed to climate-friendly aviation, continues to invest in particularly fuel-efficient aircraft despite the current exceptional situation and is expanding its commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Lufthansa Group takes responsibility.

Hawaiian Airlines partners with CPI Card Group to produce Second Wave credit cards

Hawaiian Airlines and Barclays US Consumer Bank announced (17-Nov-2020) a partnership with CPI Card Group, to introduce Second Wave credit cards that incorporate contactless technology.

For World Elite Mastercard members, the Second Wave cards also features a core produced with recovered ocean bound plastic.

CPI estimates more than one ton of plastic will be diverted from entering waterways, oceans and shorelines for every one million Second Wave cards produced.

Hawaiian Airlines senior VP of marketing Avi Mannis stated "As a destination carrier located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we are deeply concerned about the threat posed by plastic waste in our oceans" and "Second Wave cards from CPI allow our cardmembers to share in our long-standing commitment to clean, healthy oceans and beaches". [more - original PR]

Original report: Hawaiian Airlines, Barclays, CPI Card Group, Collaborate on Recovered Ocean-Bound Plastic Credit Cards

Hawaiian Airlines and Barclays US Consumer Bank today announced a collaboration with CPI Card Group (OTCQX: PMTS, TSX: PMTS), a payment technology company and leading provider of credit, debit and prepaid solutions, to produce Second Wave™ credit cards with contactless technology and featuring a core made with recovered ocean-bound plastic for its Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard® members.

"As a destination carrier located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we are deeply concerned about the threat posed by plastic waste in our oceans," said Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. "Second Wave cards from CPI allow our cardmembers to share in our long-standing commitment to clean, healthy oceans and beaches."

Second Wave™ payment cards, which are EMV® compliant and contactless capable, feature a core produced with plastic typically recovered within about 30 miles of a seashore, or near streams and rivers that lead to the ocean, in countries or regions that lack adequate waste management infrastructure. CPI estimates that for every one million Second Wave™ cards produced, over one ton of plastic will be diverted from entering the world's oceans, waterways and shorelines. Second Wave™ reflects CPI's continued commitment to environmentally conscious initiatives and is part of Earth Elements™, the company's innovative portfolio of more eco-focused payment cards designed to help reduce first-use plastic. The convenient and secure contactless feature allows cardmembers to safely pay by simply waving the card over a contactless enabled terminal reader.

"Hawaiian's reputation and leadership has been founded on caring - for their guests, their home in Hawai'i and the people within their community. We're proud to support them in caring for the environment as well," said Guy DiMaggio, senior vice president and general manager, Secure Card Solutions, CPI Card Group. "Second Wave is allowing companies across card industry segments to empower themselves and their customers to play a role in addressing the problem of discarded plastic entering the Earth's oceans."

HawaiianMiles Behind the Login

The new Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard®, which is currently available for all cardmembers, builds on the carrier's corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. Hawaiian continues to invest in fuel-efficient aircraft and new technology to reduce carbon emissions before, during and after each flight. Hawaiian's green practices extend to energy efficiency programs at its offices and facilities and eco-friendly materials and recycling across flight, ground and corporate operations.

To celebrate the Second Wave collaboration and further support coastal stewardship, Hawaiian Airlines and Barclays are joining together to make a $50,000 contribution to the carrier's long-standing nonprofit partner Sustainable Coastlines Hawai'i (SCH), which was created to inspire local communities to care for their coastlines through fun, hands-on beach cleanups. SCH also provides educational programs, team building corporate cleanups and waste diversion services. The airline has supported SCH for nearly a decade in statewide cleaning efforts that resulted in the removal of thousands of pounds of debris.

"Barclays is dedicated to long-term environmental sustainability and the management of environmental impacts is integral to our business," said Bob Highland, head of US Cards and Partnerships, Barclays US Consumer Bank. "Through our partnership with Hawaiian Airlines and our support for SCH, we are working our way to minimizing our impact on the environment and building a better and cleaner world for all."

"We are honored and deeply appreciative of this generous donation in recognition of Hawaiian Airlines and Barclays' new credit card collaboration," said Rafael Bergstrom, executive director of Sustainable Coastlines Hawai'i. "We consider it a privilege to serve the communities and coastlines of Hawai'i, and collaborations like this enhance our ability to create high impact. The move to use upcycled ocean-bound plastic in place of virgin materials in products like credit cards is an important step to reducing the overall impact of plastic on our oceans and environment. Mahalo to all the partners in this project who are contributing to our work. We could not execute our mission without the support of our entire community."

ACI World Annual General Assembly urges global climate change effort

Airports Council International (ACI) World Annual General Assembly passed (16-Nov-2020) a resolution emphasising that climate change, adaptation and resilience should be included in airport recovery plans and remain key issues for the sector despite the pandemic.

ACI World Annual General Assembly resolved to urge governments to support airports recovery by providing policies, investment and incentives to decarbonise the sector and make it more resilient.

Furthermore, the assembly stated, airports should keep climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience as key parts of their strategies and recovery plans and identify opportunities to 'build back better' by keeping sustainability and resilience at the core of their recovery strategies.

ACI World director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: "Sustainability is one of the key pillars of our industry and climate change continues to pose the highest long-term risk that the world faces and that is far-reaching impacts, including an increased risk of emergence of future pandemics". [more - original PR]

Original report: ACI World Annual General Assembly Urges Global Climate Change Effort

In a resolution, the Airports Council International (ACI) World Annual General Assembly has emphasized that climate change, adaptation and resilience should be included in airport recovery plans and remain key issues for the sector despite the pandemic.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires worldwide collaboration and action.

ACI World recognizes the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on the aviation sector and that the entire sector will need a supportive regulatory framework in which to recover.

The ACI World Annual General Assembly has resolved to urge governments to support airports recovery by providing policies, investment and incentives to decarbonize the sector and make it more resilient. Furthermore, airports should keep climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience as key parts of their strategies and recovery plans and identify opportunities to 'build back better' by keeping sustainability and resilience at the core of their recovery strategies.

"Sustainability is one of the key pillars of our industry and climate change continues to pose the highest long-term risk that the world faces and that is far-reaching impacts, including an increased risk of emergence of future pandemics," ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said.

"While airports contribute only a small fraction to the total level of industry emissions, we are focused on a carbon neutral goal for 2050 with some regions achieving the milestone earlier than that.

"Almost 70% of airport operators who responded to the ACI survey on Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change in 2019 reported that they had already been impacted by adverse weather patterns and conditions.

"Comprehensive climate change resilience and adaptation risk management strategies are needed to ensure the continuity of operations and airports are looking for opportunities to build back better, where sustainability is at the core of these recovery plans, balancing: environmental protection, social welfare and economic development.

"ACI urges governments to support airports recovery by providing policies, investment, and incentives to decarbonize the sector and make it more resilient and we encourage airports to keep climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience as key parts of their strategies and recovery plans."

ACI World has advised members to consider multiple solutions for decarbonization and to a gradual transition to net zero carbon in the long-term and to continue to conduct risk assessments, including them as in integral part of master planning.

"We also encourage members to support the protection of biodiversity, which can also help preventing the emergence of zoonotic diseases contributing to avert future pandemics," Luis Felipe de Oliveira said.

AAI issues tender for development of solar power plant at Kunda Deoghar Airport

Airports Authority of India (AAI), via its official website, issued (17-Nov-2020) a tender for the development of a 330kWp grid connected solar power plant at Kunda Deoghar Airport. The deadline for the tender is 01-Dec-2020.

EU aviation stakeholders urge policy makers to join pact for sustainable aviation

European Regions Airline Association announced (16-Nov-2020) more than 20 EU aviation associations and stakeholders published a roundtable report mapping out a joint commitment to work with policy makers to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 in the context of COVID-19.

In order to further reduce aviation's environmental footprint and achieve decarbonisation, the pact calls for the following:

• An EU legislative framework to promote the uptake, production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels;
• Funding and investments to enable the acceleration of low-carbon aircraft innovations, such as electric and hydrogen;
• An incentive scheme for fleet renewal, coupled with retirement;
• Increased public co-funding rates for civil aviation research and innovation through EU recovery mechanisms;
• The revision of the Single European Sky (SES) and continuation of the EU emissions trading scheme/CORSIA.

EU leaders are also urged to join and actively support an EU pact for sustainable aviation by the end of 2021 by contributing the policy and financial framework required to enable European aviation to deliver on its sustainability commitments.

This will ensure that recovery efforts are fully compatible with European expectations about cleaner transport, with aviation employees' needs for a socially sustainable and responsible aviation sector balanced with aviation stakeholders' desire for a robust, safe and coordinated recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. [more - original PR]

Original report: EU AVIATION MAPS A SUSTAINABLE, POST-CRISIS FUTURE IN ROUND TABLE REPORT

All stakeholders, including policy makers, to work together to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

EU leaders invited to join an EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation by end of 2021, covering environmental and social sustainability.
Creation of Aviation Relief Programme would restore consumer confidence, maintain connectivity, skills and employment and recover the economic and social benefits of European aviation and the wider travel and tourism ecosystem.
Over 20 associations[1] collectively representing the entire European aviation ecosystem have announced a joint commitment to work with policy makers to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, part of a comprehensive collaborative analysis released today detailing ways aviation can recover sustainably and more resiliently from the COVID-19 crisis, whilst supporting the European Union's Green Deal objectives.

The commitments will help build a greener, socially and economically robust future for aviation. Calling for a comprehensive Aviation Relief Programme to rebuild the sector, the authors of the Aviation Round Table Report, note the critical importance of restoring the public's confidence in aviation as a key priority and urgent prerequisite in ensuring recovery. In addition, the report highlights maintaining connectivity, skills and employment and preserving the European internal market and its competitiveness as vital to ensuring aviation's recovery from COVID-19, improving its governance and making European aviation more resilient to future shocks.

EU leaders are also urged to join and actively support an EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation[2] by the end of 2021 by contributing the policy and financial framework required to enable European aviation to deliver on its sustainability commitments. This will ensure that recovery efforts are fully compatible with European citizens' expectations about cleaner transport, with aviation employees' needs for a socially sustainable and responsible aviation sector balanced with aviation stakeholders' desire for a robust, safe and co-ordinated recovery from the crisis.

Striving for an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable future, the authors of the report state:

"The European aviation sector believes that its recovery is fully compatible with, and should be accompanied by, broader efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, provided the right policies are in place. Therefore, the sector is committed to continue its efforts to reduce its negative environmental impacts, both locally and globally. The latter implies in particular for all stakeholders and all policy makers to work together to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from all flights within and departing from the EU by 2050. The European aviation sector invites European and national policymakers to be strong partners in reaching these objectives, thus collectively contributing to the implementation of the European Green Deal."

The pandemic is having a profound impact on workers in the aviation sector, with thousands of jobs currently at risk. The design and implementation of the recovery strategy should take the needs of all aviation workers into account. These should be fully reflected in the social dimension of the EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation.

In order to further reduce aviation's environmental footprint and achieve decarbonisation, the pact calls for, among others:

An EU legislative framework to promote the uptake, production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).
Funding and investments to enable the acceleration of low-carbon aircraft innovations, such as electric and hydrogen.
An incentive scheme for fleet renewal, coupled with retirement.
Increased public co-funding rates for Civil Aviation Research & Innovation (Clean Aviation and SESAR) through EU recovery mechanisms.
The revision of the Single European Sky (SES) and continuation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme/CORSIA.
European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said:
"The aviation sector has been hit hard by the Coronavirus outbreak. Since March, we have worked closely with member states in their efforts to support this industry, which plays an important role in terms of jobs and connectivity. Today's industry report provides important food for thought. Both for immediate issues and forward-looking challenges. Because environmental sustainability and the role of digitisation is a prerequisite for the modernisation and decarbonisation of the EU aviation system. In this unprecedented situation, we will continue our close co-operation with member states and the aviation sector, to find workable solutions to mitigate the economic impact of the Coronavirus outbreak, in line with EU rules."

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said:
"I welcome today's report from the aviation sector and civil society on what is needed to rebuild passengers' trust, and for the recovery of this hard-hit sector, which remains critical for global supply chains and people's mobility. It offers a vision of how to make the sector stronger, more sustainable and more forward-looking than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. I applaud the commitment to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, and the proposal to create a pact for social sustainability. This is fully in line with our ambitions for the future growth of the EU."

Europe's aviation bodies have come together and committed to ambitious actions to tackle the sector's climate impact, and to strive for a socially sustainable, competitive and more resilient aviation sector. To achieve this, urgent action by EU leaders is required to deliver policies that will enable that action. The sector cannot merely wait for a resumption of business as usual. Supportive policies are required so that aviation can continue to be a primary enabler of the global economy in the future.