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Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility is a central feature of KLM’s pioneering position in international aviation. KLM is not only concerned with healthy commercial profits. It is also committed to a sustainable society and care for the environment, both at home and abroad. To arrive at the best possible interpretation of Corporate Social Responsibility, KLM is in constant dialogue with interested parties at all levels, in a range of contexts, regional, national international.
BIO FUELS
One of the most effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions from air transport is by powering aircraft with sustainable biofuel. If biofuel were to be broadly used, the reduction in CO2 could be as high as 80%. That means biofuel is more sustainable than the standard fossil fuel currently used in air transport.
Smart Energy
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One of the spearheads of KLM’s corporate social responsibility drive is to reduce our ecological footprint. Under the banner “Smart Energy”, KLM aims to reduce CO2 emissions per passenger by 20% in 2020 (compared to 2011). Stimulating the development of biofuel is one aspect of this effort. We are constantly seeking ways to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, with technical measures such as fleet renewal and more efficient flight operations. Because no new breakthroughs in the development of solar energy and energy storage (batteries) are anticipated in the near future, flying on sustainable biofuel is the best alternative. It will make the biggest contribution to reducing our CO2 emissions.
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Proving it is possible
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As early as 2009, KLM already began operating flights using a mixture of sustainable biofuel and kerosene. There are various reasons why it is not yet possible to operate flights using 100% biofuel. We are striving to further stimulate production, but cannot do this alone and are therefore working with partners, including the government, businesses and suppliers. To this end, we teamed up with Spring Associates and ARGOS (formerly North Sea Petroleum) to establish the joint venture SkyNRG in 2010. It is SkyNRG’s ambition to be the leader in the global market for sustainable biofuel. We are also striving to broaden the market. The KLM Corporate Biofuel Programme is one way in which we are joining hands with businesses to further stimulate the market for sustainable biofuel.
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How does the programme work?
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SkyNRG and other suppliers provide KLM with the sustainable biofuel that has been reserved. At present, that volume is increasing gradually and flights operated on biofuel are separately refuelled. In due course, we intend to pump the sustainable biofuel directly into the central fuel system at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The sustainable biofuel programme would then work in much the same way as the supply of green electricity. In short, other airlines would also be supplied with a mixture of sustainable biofuel and kerosene. It bears mentioning that none of the participating or supplying parties are benefitting financially from the programme.
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Sustainable biofuel
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Biofuel can be made from a variety of raw materials. KLM only uses sustainable biofuels that are made from raw materials that have no impact on biodiversity and food security. KLM has strict principles regarding the sustainability criteria that its biofuel must meet. To ensure that we purchase truly sustainable biofuel, we follow the advice of the SkyNRG Sustainability Board, which includes representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL), the Copernicus Institute of Utrecht University and Solidaridad. We also strive to further stimulate the rollout of certified processes among suppliers under auspices of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). This organisation guarantees the highest possible standards in social circumstances and environmental considerations in biofuel production.
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The role of passengers
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Passengers can also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions of their flight by way of the CO2ZERO programme. Since 2008, this programme has enabled passengers to calculate and compensate for CO2 emissions from their KLM flight. In so doing, they support renewable energy projects that have earned the Gold Standard Seal of Approval. Thanks to the support of passengers and our partner organisations and businesses, we can join hands in making air transport more sustainable.
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