CO₂ emissions reduced by 16%
In 2017, we reduced our carbon dioxide emissions per passenger by 16% compared to 2011. For the ground operations the figure even reached 17%. We are well on the way to achieving our target of reducing carbon emissions by 20% per passenger by 2020 compared to 2011.

561 flights with biofuel
KLM welcomed the Delft University of Technology as a new partner in the Corporate BioFuel Programme. Thanks also to these partners, we can operate all flights from Los Angeles in part with sustainable biojet fuel. In 2017, that amounted to 561 flights.

Waste per passenger reduced by 32%
Since 2011, we have reduced the amount of waste per passenger disembarking by 32%. How? By adding measures to reduce overall waste and increasing the proportion that can be recycled. Our goal is to reduce the amount of residual waste by 50% by 2025 (compared to 2011).KLM works with a total of fourteen different waste flows that we collect for recycling. These include paper, metal, glass, plastic, wood, clothing, electrical equipment.

New CO2ZERO project
In October, KLM selected the reforestation initiative CO2OL Tropical Mix in Panama for our CO2ZERO compensation service. Beyond the various environmental benefits, the project’s activities create long-term employment thereby providing a sustainable source of income for the local population. It will replace the Toyola Coalpot project in Ghana, which also has a Gold Standard for the Global Goals certificate.

We are seeing an increase in the number of passengers compensating for the carbon emissions of their flights. Some 60,000 passengers have compensated compared to 2016. That is a 50% increase.

Remarkable partnership
In 2017, the government of Costa Rica and KLM signed a letter of intent to investigate the possibilities of flying from San Jose with sustainable biojet fuel. We are conducting a feasibility study into the production, certification, distribution, and financing of sustainable aviation fuel from Costa Rica. We are also sharing best practices and developing joint projects. This is the first time in the world that an airline has entered into an agreement of this kind with a governmental authority.

Wings of Support
Wings of Support (WoS) has signed an official cooperation agreement with KLM. WoS is committed to the sustainable improvement of the quality of life of children at KLM destinations, especially in providing education, shelter, and medical assistance. It is run by about ninety KLM volunteers. KLM is helping to further professionalise the organisation and bring its activities to the attention of a wider audience.

Visit the KLM Takes Care platform to see the complete report and read more about KLM’s initiatives in corporate social responsibility.