Air New Zealand achieves environmental gold
11 Jun 2009
Air New Zealand has been recognised as one of New Zealand's most environmentally responsible tourism businesses with the award of Qualmark Enviro-Gold status.
Enviro-Gold is the highest rating achievable under Qualmark Green, a responsible tourism criteria designed to extend environmental and socially responsible actions for tourism businesses. Qualmark criteria recognise energy, water, waste, community, conservation programmes and monitoring.
Air New Zealand deputy CEO Norm Thompson said the airline was delighted to have achieved the enviro-gold standard.
Commitment to sustainability
As one of the biggest tourism businesses in New Zealand, the airline felt it was important to put itself under independent scrutiny through the Qualmark Green assessment, he said.
"Air New Zealand is committed to becoming the world's most environmentally sustainable airline and achieving the Enviro-Gold accreditation is another step in recognising the work we are achieving on that journey," he said.
Enviro New Zealand website
The airline has just launched a new website - environewzealand.co.nz - that recognises Qualmark Green enviro-rated tourism businesses, making it easier for travellers to access information and plan itineraries to include these activities.
"It's another way in which Air New Zealand is helping to drive awareness of the great services and activities on offer in New Zealand," Thompson said.
Responsible tourism
Qualmark Chief executive officer Geoff Penrose said Air New Zealand's performance within the responsible tourism criteria was exemplary, with a track record that included a large number of fuel and carbon emission saving initiatives.
"Air New Zealand's green programmes cover the spectrum of responsible tourism criteria ranging from water conservation and waste minimisation to an in-house Green Team, customer carbon offsetting programme and conservation activities such as the Air New Zealand Environmental Trust," Penrose said.
Qualmark's leadership in responsible tourism had already achieved tangible outcomes, with the aim of ensuring visitor expectations of New Zealand's clean green image was exceeded, he said.
"Air New Zealand's overall commitment highlights a large tourism business implementing both environmental and socially responsible practices throughout their organisation, and clearly demonstrates guardianship of the industry, which is to be applauded."
More information:
Qualmark Green: world-first green scheme
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