The Emirates Group, comprising Emirates airline and dnata, has published its seventh annual Environmental Report which outlines the Group´s environmental performance for the financial year 2016-2017, the company said.
Audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the report presents environmental sustainability initiatives and performance data from a range of Group activities covering airline operations, dnata´s cargo and ground handling businesses, and other commercial activities such as engineering and catering.
With 2017 being the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the Group has linked its environmental priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to help it focus better on where it can have the greatest impact.
A key part of the Group´s environmental strategy is operating an eco-efficient fleet, and during the year Emirates airline retired the last remaining Airbus A340s and A330s. It now only operates a passenger fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, and together with its Boeing 777 freighters, the average fleet age stands at 5.3 years, well below the industry average. A modern wide body fleet delivers lower engine and noise emissions, and offers customers a higher level of comfort.
To enable long-term excellence in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), dnata implemented an Integrated Management System (IMS) during the year. The IMS, one of the cornerstones of the “One dnata” strategy, covers all operational aspects of dnata´s diverse business, and will support a learning culture to deliver continuous improvement across all areas of the business.
The Group continued its strong support for action against the illegal trade in wildlife, and through its “A Greener Tomorrow” initiative contributed to three organisations in Africa that are at the forefront of wildlife protection, namely the Southern African Wildlife College Trust, Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, and African Parks. dnata´s employee-led philanthropy programme dnata4good also continued its support for wildlife conservation in South Africa, and completed a school-building project in Nepal.
