Cathay Pacific 2011 Annual Report Download - page 11

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Annual Report 2011 9
Cathay Pacific continues to engage with regulators and
with groups involved in shaping aviation policy in
relation to climate change. We work with the
International Civil Aviation Organisation, the
International Air Transport Association, the Aviation
Global Deal, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group
and the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. We aim to
increase awareness of climate change issues and to
develop appropriate solutions for the aviation industry.
In March 2011, we participated in “Earth Hour”, an
annual event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund for
Nature. We switched off all non-essential lighting in
our buildings and on billboards.
In March 2011, the FTSE4Good Group confirmed that
we continue to be included on the FTSE4Good Index
Series. This series measures the performance of
companies which meet globally recognised corporate
responsibility standards and is intended to facilitate
investment in such companies.
In March 2011, in compliance with the relevant
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
regulations on aviation, we submitted tonne-kilometre
and emissions reports to the UK Environment Agency.
We continued to comply with the European Union
Emissions Trading Scheme.
In April 2011, Cathay Pacific won the Hong Kong
Awards for Environmental Excellence gold award for
Transport and Logistics. This follows our silver award
in 2010 and our bronze award in 2009.
In May 2011, we became a member of the Asia Pacific
Business and Sustainability Council (APBSC).
Our business class travel kits now contain
biodegradable products.
Dragonair has been working with Nature Conservancy
since 2004 on the “Change for Conservation” inflight
fundraising campaign. “Change for Conservation”
raises awareness of the importance of nature
conservation. Funds are used in Yunnan (in Mainland
China) to protect watershed areas, to alleviate poverty
and to develop sustainable economic alternatives for
local people. Dragonair has raised over HK$8 million for
“Change for Conservation”.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cathay Pacific and Dragonair continue to participate in
the “FLY greener” carbon offset programme. This
allows passengers to offset the environmental impact
of their travel.
In September 2011 we sponsored the APBSC
conference on “Climate Responsiveness for Asian
Businesses” which took place at our headquarters,
Cathay City. Over 90 delegates from different
industries in Asia attended the two-day event. In the
same month we were a major sponsor of the Aviation
and Environment “Greener Skies” conference, and
also hosted a one-day Association of Asia Pacific
Airlines Environmental Working Group conference.
For the purpose of compiling our 2011 Sustainable
Development Report we have had discussions with
our ground staff and cabin crew in three overseas
offices and with suppliers, investors, corporate clients
and non-government organisations (NGOs).
A number of environmental activities in 2011 involved
our staff. These included planting trees on Lantau
Island in Hong Kong in May 2011 as part of an event
organised by the Airport Authority of Hong Kong; a
forest biodiversity field day at the Tai Po Kau nature
reserve in Hong Kong, participation in a coastal cleanup
on Lantau Island organised by the Hong Kong Green
Council and a staff visit to the Mai Po Marshes
conservation area in Hong Kong in December 2011.
Contribution to the community
The Group and its staff raised a total of HK$10 million
for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in
March 2011. The funds (including HK$1 million from
the Swire Group Charitable Trust) were donated to the
Red Cross. We also channelled more than HK$1.9
million collected through the “Change for Good”
inflight fundraising programme for UNICEF’s relief
efforts. Meanwhile, we also provided and transported
relief items such as blankets, socks and towels and
sponsored tickets. The additional relief items were
valued at more than HK$1.3 million.
Following the disaster in Japan, we sponsored tickets
for a number of artists from Asia to perform at a
fundraising concert in Hong Kong. We also ran the
“We Love Japan” campaign in June 2011 to
encourage people to start visiting the country again.
•
•
•
•
•
•
2011 in Review