Global Compact International Yearbook 2015

Good Practice
Environment
De Gaulle Airport. CO 2
emissions due to
travel are not only linked to flights, but
also to passengers’ and employees’ journeys
to the airport. Air France’s actions to
enhance eco-mobility solutions, such as
public transportation or car-sharing, will
be also presented to foster their utilization.
To broaden its audience, Lab’line is supported
by an awareness-building campaign,
including a web series.
part of their travel needs with biofuelpowered
flights. The 15 partners confirm
their leadership and actively contribute
to the development of a market for sustainable
aviation biofuels. In 2014, new
partners joined the program, including
the City of Amsterdam, Friesland Campina,
Perfetti van Melle, and Ricoh. The
Dutch government announced it would
join the KLM Corporate BioFuel Program
to incentivize the biofuel market.
Lab’line for the future
Beginning in September 2014 and continuing
for one year, Air France launched
its Lab’line for the future project, and operates
a weekly flight between Toulouse
and Paris-Orly using biofuel. These flights
are operated by an Airbus A321 powered
with a sustainable biofuel, whose processing
has been certified by the Roundtable
on Sustainable Biomaterial (RSB),
the most demanding organization in this
sector. Also the potential risks in the supply
chain of the sourced sugarcane are
checked by an independent risk assessment,
based on the relevant criteria from
RSB. Therefore, Air France can ensure
that the production of its biofuel does
not compete with the food production
industry, or adversely affect biodiversity,
water, or earth – and also that it respects
human rights and labor rights.
Biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by up to 80 percent in comparison to
fossil fuels. As commercial aviation has
no alternative to liquid fuels for the next
40 years, biofuels are the most effective
solution for the transition to renewable
energies. With this commitment, Air
France also demonstrates the national
interest of France in creating an aviation
biofuel sector.
Raising awareness about
responsible air travel
Innovation and partnerships are keys
for ensuring a more responsible future.
As a leader in sustainable development,
Air France associated 14 of its partners
with the Lab’line project. It gives them
the opportunity to showcase their innovations
for more responsible travel
during the flight. In addition to the use
of biofuels, Lab’line for the future is an
informative project. Passengers have
the chance to meet with engineers and
experts during special events and ask
them any question they might have on
sustainable topics. Moreover, specific
themes are developed every two months.
For example, the company’s efforts in
waste reduction and valorization have
been presented to passengers. Beyond
recycling, Air France favors eco-design
approaches, which take the entire lifecycle
into account when introducing new products.
It is also working with various partners
to promote circular-economy initiatives
in the area surrounding Paris - Charles
By developing this project, Air France
demonstrates its commitment to increasing
knowledge about the environmental
effects of air transport.
Continuing biofuel flights:
Starting European ITAKA program
As part of the European ITAKA project, and
supported by Climate KIC, KLM launched
new series of biofuel flights on May 2014.
Over the course of six months, weekly
flights between Amsterdam, Aruba, and
Bonaire were operated with an Airbus
A330-200 powered by sustainable biofuel.
KLM and the independent Sustainability
Board from SkyNRG checked the potential
risks in the supply chain of the feedstock,
based on RSB criteria.
The series were kick-started with a visit by
a delegation to Aruba and Bonaire. These
destinations were a logical fit because
both islands have sustainability high on
their political agendas. With KLM’s help,
Aruba has set the Green Aruba Challenge
to find promising solutions that can help
to improve the island’s sustainability. The
challenge was won by The Land Life Box,
which enables plants to grow on degraded
soils and in hot and arid climates.
Air France and KLM will continue to stimulate
the market of sustainable biofuels
in order to create a continuous supply
and lower the cost. Together with their
partners in Lab'line and in the Corporate
BioFuel Program, they support new
supply chain routes and the European
ITAKA program. Jointly with the industry
and stakeholders, Air France-KLM will
make next steps in developing a more
sustainable airline industry.
Global Compact International Yearbook 2015
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