(TAN): Air Canada recently issued its 2019 corporate sustainability report Citizens of the World, outlining the airline’s progress in key areas of sustainability, including some 2020 updates.
In addition to committing to the Global Reporting Initiative, Canada’s flag carrier also supports and promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
[ALSO READ: 400 foreign tourists to undergo free COVID-19 test in Hoi An, Vietnam]
“Despite the extreme challenges we are facing this year, sustainability remains a top priority for Air Canada. We believe that growth and prosperity should not come at the expense of sustainability and we are committed to operating our business responsibly and with integrity for the benefit of future generations,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada.
Following are the key points of the report.
Business
- Ranked in the top 3% of airlines included in the IATA Operational Safety Audit;
- Important contributor to the travel and tourism sector worldwide, which represented approximately CAD 102 billion (USD 77.1 billion) in annual GDP and employed over 1.8 million people in Canada in 2019;
- In 2020, more than 30% of the members of the Board of Directors are women;
- Introduction of the Airbus A220, expected to average 20% less fuel consumption per seat and emit 20% less CO2.
[ALSO READ: Digital nomad visas- Here are 5 countries you can move to if you work remotely]
People
- Engaged workforce of close to 38,000 employees (in 2019);
- Was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the fourth consecutive year, named one of Canada’s Top 100 employers for the seventh consecutive year;
- Supported 315 registered charities through the Air Canada Foundation, with more than CAD 2 million net raised for the communities we serve;
- More than 100 million miles donated by Aeroplan and its members for charitable purposes;
[ALSO READ: Thailand focusses on care of elephants in tourism]
Planet
- Experienced a 19% improvement in fuel efficiency between 2009 and 2019;
- On target to meet the annual 1.5% fuel efficiency improvement by end of 2020;
- Progressed on work toward carbon-neutral growth in 2020 for international aviation (through CORSIA);
- Continued to support the development of lower-carbon Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in Canada;
- Removed more than 38 million pieces of single-use plastic from onboard service (in 2019);
- Achieved the 2020 recycling efficiency target in 2019.
The airline obtained third-party validation of select metrics, continuously ensuring the integrity of its reporting.
Related posts:
Air Canada to back development of sustainable fuel and decarbonization tech through new industry group
Air Canada will purchase 30 electric-hybrid aircraft
Air Canada invests in tech that captures CO2 directly from the air to combat climate change
Air Canada aircraft turns climate change observatory
