IATA IEnvA and Carbon offset awareness rising session

Along with safety and security, global environmental responsibility has become a top priority for global airlines. Being an environment friendly airline, SriLankan is also aiming to reduce its environmental impact by implementing new strategies, policies and programmes. The final month of the year 2013 was of much significance for the UL Environment Team with the initiatives taken to implement IATA carbon offset mechanism and IATA Environment management system (IEnvA) in the airline. In order to raise the awareness in this regard, SriLankan organize 02 awareness building sessions for both internal and external stakeholders with the help of IATA experts.

There are many emissions reduction and trading mechanisms implemented around the world, and one of the most popular ways passengers and customers can play in offsetting their own flight emissions or carbon footprint is by financing a carbon neutralizing programme. IATA, which has been in this avenue for many years, helps SriLankan to implement this initiative. Hence on 09th December, 2013 Michael Schneider, Assistant Director, Carbon Offset Business Development from the International Air Traffic Association (IATA), conducted a session for raising awareness amongst the internal and external stakeholders about the Carbon Offset Programme.

On 10th December, 2013 another programme was conducted to raise awareness amongst aviation stakeholders, whose collaboration is essential for SriLankan to launch IATA carbon offset and IATA Environment Management System (IEnvA). This was also conducted by Michael Schneider, Assistant Director, Carbon Offset Business Development, and assisted Stephen Causby, Manager, IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Programme, representing IATA.

The benefits by adopting Carbon offset programme for the country and for the national aviation were discussed and the initiative got positive responses from all the stakeholders including Ministry of Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority, Airport & Aviation SL, and Mihin Lanka. The Ministry of Aviation and Civil Aviation Authority emphasized that a National Carbon Offset Programme will add more value to this initiative taken by SriLankan Airlines.

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IATA IEnvA and SriLankan Airlines was another progressive step taken at the 3-day session. Pradeepa Kekulawala, Head of Human Resources, and Stephen Causby, Manager, IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Programme, signed the MOU on behalf of the respective organizations. SriLankan Airlines realized the significance of having an industry specific Environment Management programme when facing the IOSA and ISAGO audits and IEnvA programme is the outcome. Further adding value to the programme, Stephen Causby briefed the UL Green Team and UL IEnvA Team on IEnvA concept, programme and procedure, followed by a special gap analysis of the existing Green Practices of the airline. Also these programmes set to enhance the image of the SriLankan as an environment friendly airline and also by introducing these, the airline will gain better market opportunities among environment friendly travel communities of the world.