Qatar Airways launches global environmental management program

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has launched an environmental program to attain full industry certification of its global approach to managing climate change, waste, water consumption and emissions.

Qatar Airways recently welcomed IATA representatives to Doha to launch the airline’s journey to achieving IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) stage 2 certification by December 2017. The airline has already achieved IEnvA accreditation at foundation level, and has now begun implementing additional environmental management system procedures to attain full certification to IEnvA stage 2. The programme covers all aspects of Qatar Airway’s global operations, including flight and ground operations and corporate activities.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is a member of IATA’s Environment Committee, and as such, our social and environmental responsibilities are of the upmost importance to us. We have made a firm commitment to allocating time and resources to continuously improving our environmental performance and establishing a sustainable aviation industry.

“Ensuring strong environmental governance is a collective challenge for the airline industry. Qatar Airways has been one of the pioneers of the IEnvA process and has pledged its support to lead the industry to establish a bespoke environmental certification scheme that meets the unique environmental challenges facing airlines.”

Qatar Airways’ role as a leading IEnvA airline mirrors the support it provided towards establishing IATA’s safety management system for airlines, IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit). Qatar Airways was the first airline to achieve certification in 2003.

Mr. Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said: “While a number of airlines have implemented other comparable environmental management systems that have proved to be very effective, IEnvA is the first environmental management system designed specifically for the aviation sector and enables an airline to improve its environmental management and follow best environmental practice. I am delighted that Qatar Airways has satisfied the stage 1 assessment and committed to implementing the stage 2 standards. This makes Qatar Airways one of the world’s leading carriers in the areas of environmental responsibility and sustainability.”

The IEnvA program uses environmental standards and recommended practices developed specifically for the aviation sector by a joint team of environmental experts from within and outside the industry. As part of the certification, IATA will independently assess the quality of Qatar Airways’ environmental procedures and the extent to which its environmental management system is effectively implemented.