While people around the planet continue to grapple with the pandemic, there’s also a call to pause and reflect on another cause – Time for Nature, the theme of the UN’s World Environment Day on 5 June.
Emirates has continued to make progress in the attainment of its environmental goals, according to a media release.
An important cause Emirates has been pursuing is keeping wildlife in the wild. Emirates is active across industry and international efforts, and is part of United for Wildlife, ROUTES (Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species), and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Emirates has a zero tolerance on carrying banned species, hunting trophies or any products associated with illegal wildlife activities.
The airline’s ground-handling team is trained in IATA’s Live Animal Regulations and its internal policies, and more than 2,500 airport services employees were trained last year to recognise and report suspicious cargo.
Employees have access to a dedicated reporting channel to stop illegal trade.
As a part of its wildlife conservation efforts, the airline has been helping protect Australia’s extraordinary flora and fauna for over 10 years at Emirates Wolgan Valley, the conservation-based resort in New South Wales.
The resort worked closely with the local community to evacuate on-site animals as bushfires swept across the country last year. Involving guests who were keen to volunteer, the resort created a one million-plus seed bank, representing 25 local native species that will play a vital role in repopulating damaged areas.
Emirates’ 20-year partnership with the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) continued to build on its successful programmes to track, maintain and reintroduce native wildlife species, such as the Arabian oryx, Arabian gazelle, sand gazelle, the release added.
Reducing carbon emissions is central to Emirates’ environmental sustainability strategy, which is underpinned by its young, technologically advanced fleet with an average age of just 6.8 years. The airline’s comprehensive fuel efficiency programme, which analyses and implements ways to reduce unnecessary fuel burn and emissions wherever operationally feasible, delivered a 1.9 per cent improvement in passenger fuel efficiency for the full year.
Emirates is committed to environmental stewardship, and uses the power of collaboration, consensus and change right along its ecosystem – from framing internal policies to empowering employees and mandating standards with partners and vendors.
