Amstelveen,
13
October
2014
|
20:31
Europe/Amsterdam

Officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to Fly Sustainable

Summary

The Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment today announced it is joining KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Programme.

It's great that the Ministry of Infrastructure & Environment takes the lead to be first sustainable ministry to fly. The Green Deal we signed with the Dutch government in 2011 endorsed the need for sustainable aviation fuels. Participation in this programme stimulates the development of bio-kerosene.
Camiel Eurlings, KLM President & CEO
At the Schiphol annual dinner this evening: “More and more aircraft are being built with quieter and more fuel-efficient engines. But, because the global airline industry continues to grow, other measures have to be implemented. Flying on sustainable biofuels is one of them. KLM occupies a pioneering position in this field, of which we may be proud.
Wilma Mansveld, Secretary of State for the Environment

The KLM Corporate BioFuel programme, which was launched in 2012, is the tangible outcome of the Green Deal made between KLM and the Dutch Government in 2012. Partners in this biofuel programme commit to flying some of their journeys on aircraft powered by biofuels, thereby contributing to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

All the bio-kerosene KLM uses on its flights has been recommended by the SkyNRG Sustainability Board, whose members include the Netherlands chapter of the WWF, Solidaridad, and the Copernicus Institute. The test is based on the standard set by the Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), which is considered the most comprehensive norm globally.

The Ministry for Infrastructure and the Environment is the 17th partner to join the programme. Others include the Schiphol Group, Philips, Heineken, DSM, Nike, Ahold, City of Amsterdam and Accenture.

Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Air France-KLM is top of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) once again this year, making it the most sustainable airline for the 10th year in a row. The DJSI is the most important international index assessing companies’ achievements in sustainable development. It is compiled by RobecoSAM, an international investment specialist focusing exclusively on Sustainability Investing.