Qatar Airways has been accredited with the highest level of the International Air Transport Association’s Environmental Assessment programme, becoming the fifth airline worldwide and the first in the Middle East to achieve IEnvA Stage 2.

“I am proud to receive this acknowledgment of our success in developing and embedding a comprehensive environmental management system in the year we celebrate our 20^th anniversary,” said Akbar Al Baker [left in photo], group chief executive of Qatar Airways, during his inaugural meeting as the new chair-elect of IATA’s board of governors in Geneva. “Looking back over the last two decades, we have transformed from an emerging regional airline to a world leader in aviation. As we continue to build our global network, we remain committed to dedicating the leadership and resources needed to meet our vision for environmental sustainability. Our continued involvement in IATA’s environmental programmes positions Qatar Airways at the forefront in establishing a sustainable aviation industry.”

According to Qatar Airways, its environmental management system includes a range of initiatives to improve the airline’s environmental performance, such as a systematic approach to aviation fuel efficiency focusing on weight reduction, route optimization and aircraft performance. This initiative has delivered savings including 1,800 tonnes of fuel and 5,600 tonnes of CO2 through optimizing potable water upload, and 4,800 tonnes of fuel and 15,300 tonnes of CO2 by reducing the use of engines while taxiing on arrival at Hamad International Airport.

The environmental management system has also reinforced business processes to improve how the airline engages its suppliers, such as the promotion of sustainably sourced ingredients for inflight catering.

“We offer our congratulations to Qatar Airways for successfully completing Stage 2 of IATA’s environmental assessment programme, and our thanks to them for their continuing leadership in environmental performance,” said Alexandre de Juniac [right in photo], director general and chief executive officer of IATA. “IEnvA accreditation is independently assessed and aligned with internationally recognized standards, and the voluntary commitment of Qatar Airways and other airlines to the IEnvA programme is further evidence of the airline sector’s determination to meet and exceed the highest environmental standards.”

Qatar Airways provides its employees with the skills to deliver effective environmental management on a day-to-day basis. In 2016, Qatar Airways partnered with the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment to launch an environmental competency matrix to set skill requirements for every employee and incorporate environmental responsibilities into the job descriptions of all airline employees globally. The airline is now developing environmental training packages such as interactive e-learning modules which will engage its workforce in environmental management and contribute to business resilience.

Qatar Airways has been an active member of IATA’s Environment Committee since 2009 and has recently accepted the nomination to chair IATA’s Environmental Assessment Oversight Council, which provides governance over the IEnvA programme’s standards manual.