From a Smart Network to Fair-Trade Coffee
Regardless of whether they travel for business or pleasure, passengers expect KLM to do its utmost to make flying as sustainable as possible. We are happy to make this effort by way of both smaller gestures and larger programs. In short, we invest in more eco-friendly aircraft and we serve fair-trade coffee – to name just two examples.
Through customer consultation we know that passengers want to play their own active role in lowering the effect of CO2 emissions. We therefore offer customers a voluntary service called CO2ZERO, where you can compensate for your personal CO2 emissions by investing in sustainable energy projects approved by the World Wide Fund for Nature. Early 2009 the construction of a wind farm started on the isle of Bonaire.
Efficiency is in Everyone’s Interest
The connections within our global network are optimally aligned. By flying in straight lines and limiting detours, we do our passengers and the environment a favor.
Visibly Responsible
Wherever possible we introduce new, smart innovations which both improve flight comfort, and make work more enjoyable, safer or more efficient, and which limit our impact on the environment.
Many of our initiatives in the field of corporate social responsibility are “invisible” to our customers, but not all. On board our aircraft passengers are able to see for themselves some of the measures we take:
Reducing weight to save fuel
Coffee and tea pots are made from a light-weight material. This has reduced weight by almost 250g per pot. The pots are also more user-friendly and safer.
New light-weight fleece blankets in Economy Class bring passengers extra comfort and are 50g per blanket lighter. This may not seem much, but accumulated over all our flights it amounts to a massive weight saving.
Each of the new trolley drawers is 200g lighter. The trolleys themselves also generate a considerable weight saving. The give-away headsets also contribute a saving of between 70g and 100g per flight, because fewer trolleys and containers are needed to store them.
Separating and reducing waste
The crew separate waste as much as possible on board: glass, tin cans, cardboard, and paper. These materials can be recycled. Glass is recycled into glass, and cans into cans. Old paper is used to make toilet paper, among other things. Raw materials are thus reused and less waste is produced.
By improving systems behind the scenes we are better able to assess in advance what will be consumed on board. Consequently, less waste is generated. This not only reduces the impact on the environment, it also means a reduction in the unnecessary use of raw materials.
Environmentally friendly packaging
We are increasingly using environmentally friendly packaging such as the sustainably-produced coffee and tea cups which are fully biodegradable, right down to the protective coating on the inside.
Sustainable Food and Drinks
The coffee that KLM passengers drink on board is cultivated in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Rainforest Alliance. The tea we serve also comes from plantations that operate in a socially responsible manner. Furthermore, we are the first airline to have run a successful trial serving fish that is caught in a sustainable manner. We will be serving fish with the MSC mark of approval more often in future.
Sustainable Tourism
Holidays are great fun and KLM takes pleasure in bringing people to the most beautiful places on earth. This includes countries where poverty prevails, but also countries with immense natural splendour. By visiting such countries, you can contribute to local prosperity and nature conservation. But only if you travel with consideration. Here are some tips for sustainable travel from the World Wildlife Fund.
We fly more responsibly
Anyone who looks out the aircraft window will sometimes see winglets attached to the wingtips. This reduces CO2 emissions by about 3%. Read here more on KLM’s initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions.
