Major milestones included a new single-use plastics reduction target and the launch of our Cathay ChangeMakers community programme.
The Cathay Pacific Group recently released its 2019 Sustainable Development Report, providing a comprehensive overview that outlines the various sustainability measures undertaken by the Cathay Pacific and its subsidiaries’, including its approach and performance in areas of environmental, social and governance.
The report includes a message from Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang who said: “At the time of preparing this report, a public health emergency has rocked the global economy. It feels more important than ever to foster positivity, to protect our people, to strengthen our communities and to confront the major challenges we face. We are very determined to play our part in this hugely important undertaking; one which requires us to be financially successful but in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Our commitment to developing sustainably with transparency and accountability is undiminished.”
Amongst the key highlights of the report is the group’s approach to climate change, removing single use plastic and continued efforts in supporting the community. In addition the report also focuses on the efficient use of resources, waste management and sets out the Group’s efforts in moving towards greener aviation.
Notable highlights in brief include:
- New single-use plastic reduction target: Cathay Pacific targets the reduction of its single-use plastic footprint by 50% by the end of 2022, removing nearly 200 million pieces of single-use plastic from operations annually.
- Fighting climate change: The Group has introduced new efficiency initiatives, adding six new, more fuel-efficient Airbus A350s to its fleet and scaled up climate change risk and mitigation planning. Since 1998, these efforts have yielded a 27% cumulative improvement in fuel efficiency.
- Caring for the community: Continued efforts to support the positive development of communities through its new Cathay ChangeMakers initiative and the longstanding I Can Fly programme.
Cathay Pacific also offers its customers and corporates to be a part of the Fly Greene programme, the airline’s voluntary carbon offset initiative which enables them to balance out their carbon footprint from air travel in a credible and simple way. All contributions are channeled to independently review and accredit projects that indeed reduce CO2 emissions. The programme has offset over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 since 2007 and in 2019, it has offset 33,922 tonnes of CO2.
The report also sheds light on its progress to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, and all customers and also demonstrates how the company strives to be an employer of choice.
The full Sustainability Development Report 2019 is available for download on the Cathay Pacific website.