Qatar Airways launches environmental management system

Qatar Airways has launched an environmental programme to attain full industry certification of its global approach to managing climate change, waste management, 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 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 utmost 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' senior vice-president (Group Safety and Security) Ashish Jain (right) and Qatar Airways' vice-president (Environmental Affairs) Iain Groark (left) welcoming IATAtarget="_blank"'>The IEnvA programme 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.