Five themes relate to the reduction of carbon emissions from international aviation originating in the Netherlands, resulting in no less than 35% fewer emissions by 2030 than there would have been in the absence of this action plan. This is in addition to the substantial carbon reductions that civil aviation provides through the European trading system and the global UN Emissions Trading System (CORSIA) that give substance to the Paris objectives. Beyond that, there are two themes that will reduce carbon emissions on the ground.

The seven themes of “Smart and Sustainable” are:

Optimising flight routes and procedures
The efficient use of fuel results in fewer CO₂ emissions. More direct flight routes and improved takeoff and landing procedures will result in less fuel consumption. Current routes in Dutch and European airspace are overloaded and not always efficient, and lead to added and unnecessary CO₂ emissions.

Encouraging cleaner aircraft by levying airport fees
Schiphol intends to differentiate airport charges (between 2019 and 2022) partly on the basis of climate impact. Airlines will pay less to use quieter and generally cleaner aircraft, while the costs for noisier, more polluting aircraft will increase.

Introducing sustainable fuel
As a result of the long development time and life span of new aircraft, kerosene-based fuel will remain the fuel of choice for the time being. For this reason, sustainable fuel is one of the most effective ways of reducing CO₂ emissions on the relatively short term. These are sustainable biojet fuels made from raw materials that do not compromise human or animal food supplies or which cause environmental damage such as deforestation.

Radical fleet renewal
We have taken major steps to reduce our climate impact by introducing radically new aircraft concepts and fully electrically powered aircraft. The Dutch aviation industry and knowledge institutions are playing an important role in developing new aerodynamic models, stronger and lighter materials, and electric-hybrid propulsion that will be necessary after 2030 to further reduce emissions from aviation. Over the next decade, airlines will continue to renew their fleets, thereby further reducing their emissions.

Deploying international train service and other sustainable means of transport over short distances
The Netherlands benefits from a customer-centric, fast, and sustainable transport system. On some routes, trains are a good alternative to air travel up to a distance of 700 kilometres. The success of the Eurostar and Thalys proves that this is possible and that it is better for the environment. To make train travel even more attractive, we will need faster trains, better connections to Schiphol, and it must be easier to buy integrated AirRail tickets. To further develop Schiphol as a multimodal hub, the extension of the North-South Metro line above ground is another interesting option. This will create space for international trains in the Schiphol Tunnel. And there are sustainable alternatives other than the train that can be further developed for routes with smaller passenger volumes.

Emission-free airports
In 2030, we will ensure that all Royal Schiphol Group airport terminals, offices, and ground operations will be climate neutral. Schiphol already runs entirely on electricity generated by Dutch wind and is making efforts to increase energy efficiency (for instance, by using LED lighting), phase out gas (for instance, by using heat and cold storage), and limit commuting. Airport users (including airlines and handling agents) also play an important role in making the airport climate-neutral by making greater use of electrical equipment and other technology.

A fast and efficient journey to and from the airport
The journey to and from the airport takes time. It can be unnecessarily complicated, cause traffic jams, and contribute to carbon emissions. At present, travellers opt for cars and public transport. Other solutions – electric rental cars and faster public transport to and from airports – are also needed. Furthermore, passengers must be able to make use of reliable and efficient transfers and have more options for getting cargo and baggage from door to door. Also in air cargo transport, all parties work closely with the help of digitisation, chain agreements, and good information exchange to optimise their activities. This will improve lead times and loading rates, and reduce carbon emissions.

About Aviation Empire Platinum
Aviation Empire Platinum is a 3D strategy game in which players run their own airline. The main challenge is to run a profitable airline and conquer the globe. Players can invest in a well-maintained and up to date fleet, create a lucrative network with international destinations and build airports with all kinds of facilities to make their passengers happy. They can choose to play the game within KLM’s historical timeline, starting back in 1919 the year that KLM operated its first flight, or create their own timeline.

The game has been re-engineered and re-designed from the ground up by Little Chicken, introducing updated graphics and new gameplay, for example new currencies and in-game advertising.

Watch the official game trailer here. For more information and the latest Aviation Empire Platinum assets, visit the All 4 Games press vault.

About All 4 Games
All 4 Games is Channel 4’s Glasgow-based games publishing arm, formed in September 2015 to provide premium support to small, talented indie developers within the mobile games sector. For more information please visit: www.all4games.co.uk

The game combines the digital world with the real world. Using real-life GPS check-in, players can unlock close to 70 airports in Aviation Empire.

In-app purchases make it possible for players to expand and personalise their fleets. They can also play across tablet and smartphone (if on the same platform).

Aside earning game credits, players are also rewarded with badges. By logging in with a social media account, they can share their achievements with their friends. Leader boards display players’ positions in the world and in relation to their friends.

KLM, Monpellier Venture and Little Chicken Game Company developed the game in close cooperation. Furthermore, some 180 beta testers put the game through its paces to help optimise the gameplay, its images and look & feel. The co-creation is structured around a Facebook Aviation Empire page (facebook.com/AviationEmpire) which connects players to KLM, the game developers and to each other.

The development of this game is a logical step in KLM’s digital evolution. KLM has already proven its pioneering credentials by being one of the first airlines to offer a 24 hour social media service and by being the first to launch the innovative Meet & Seat service. Aviation Empire fits these innovations perfectly, combining KLM’s time-honoured trail-blazing with the new, digital realm.

From 16:00 hours CEST today, it was possible to view the press event via: http://player.companywebcast.com/klmcommunications/20130627_1/en/start. Through this link, more information about the development of the game and how it works will be available (and will remain also after 27 June 27.)

For Aviation Empire - The story, click here for the video.

“For seven consecutive years, KLM has been the sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index,” says Camiel Eurlings, Managing Director KLM. “Everyone at KLM has worked hard to achieve this. KLM has itself developed numerous initiatives in diverse areas: from special resistance-reducing paint to lightweight trolleys and tableware, and from a fuel efficiency programme to new engine washing technology. Despite economic uncertainties, KLM continues to invest in making the airline industry more sustainable. KLM has taken the lead for many years in reducing CO2 emissions in aviation and stimulating innovations in the field of biofuels. We attach a great deal of importance to cooperating with WWF Netherlands in this area.”

“We cannot afford to continue burning fossil fuels if we want future generations to be able to inherit the earth,” says Johan van de Gronden. “Greenhouse gases from coal, oil and gas are amongst the most important causes of climate change and therefore pose a significant threat to nature and mankind. The only way to prevent the planet from overheating is to generate all energy from renewable sources. It should be possible to supply fully sustainable power by 2050. KLM shares this vision and assumes responsibility for its actions.”

For more information:
World Wide Fund for Nature in the Netherlands (WWF Netherlands) www.wnf.nl

Dylan de Gruijl
Tel:  +31(0)30-6937333
Mobile:  +31(0)6-22607633
E-mail: dgruijl@wwf.nl