Emirates has further strengthened its commitment towards the environment by achieving IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications. Over the years, the airline has taken several initiatives, including investing in sustainability R&D funds and preserving the desert ecosystem.
Emirates has announced that it has received the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications. The IEnvA system is a comprehensive environmental management system, and the carrier has implemented Stage One of its core scope comprising flight operations and corporate activities.
This also includes an illegal wildlife trade module that supports Emirates’ longstanding environmental commitment to preserving wildlife and habitats. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior VP, International Affairs, commented, “We are proud to achieve the IEnvA Stage One certification, which is a testament to our longstanding commitment to impactful environmental sustainability initiatives, while certification to the module on illegal wildlife trade reinforces our position as a global leader in the fight against the trafficking and exploitation of wildlife.”
Emirates has often taken a stand against illegal wildlife trafficking and exploitation. It is also a founding signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration and member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, convened by The Royal Foundation.
Its cargo arm, Emirates SkyCargo, also practices a zero-tolerance policy on illegal wildlife trade and a complete ban on hunting trophies for the Big 4. Emirates imparts wildlife awareness training not just to Emirates SkyCargo employees but also to workers in passenger services, including Cabin Crew, Emirates Airport Services, and the Emirates Group Security team.
Emirates has supported several environment-related causes and initiatives. The airline has provided funding over the years for the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), a 225-square-kilometer conservation reserve established in 2002.
The joint effort of Emirates and the DDCR has helped several species not just to survive but, in fact, thrive. Some of the success stories that have come out of the DDCR include over 1,300 Sand gazelles, Arabian gazelles, and Arabian Oryx, which started from a little over 200 in number but have steadily grown through DDCR’s reintroduction and breeding program.
When the reserve was first established, it had some 150 species; today, that number has gone up to 560 species of plants and trees, birds, mammals, reptiles, and arthropods, all thanks to the conservation efforts.
Earlier this year, Emirates also announced its commitment of $200 million toward funding Research and Development (R&D) initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of fossil fuels in the aviation industry.
Emirates’ Environmental Sustainability Executive Group will oversee fund disbursements with support from technical experts. The airline said that it will also identify viable partnerships with leading organizations working on solutions in advanced fuel and energy technologies.
Simple Flying
