Environmental policy

Sustainability and eco-efficiency are the cornerstones of all Emirates Group operations – both in the air, and on the ground.

Our customers, staff and regulators are increasingly conscious about the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. Emirates has committed to environmentally-responsible operations through the Emirates Group’s Environmental Policy, which is communicated internally and externally to staff, customers and all stakeholders. For more information, you can read the Emirates Group's Environmental Policy(Opens a PDF in a new tab).

The Emirates Group’s commitment to sustainability means multi-billion dollar investments in the most modern, eco-efficient technology available – in aircraft, engines and ground equipment, and by operating our assets in the most environmentally-responsible manner. We strive to be leaders in environmental performance in our industry and in our region, and we’re committed to complying with all applicable environmental regulations and standards.

We’re part of a global industry that’s committed to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.

Aviation is one of the most important contributors to global economic and social development – particularly in the developing world. The aviation industry supports nearly 63 million people worldwide and contributes USD 2.7 trillion per annum to world GDP.
You can read more in the Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders report(Opens a PDF in a new tab) written in July 2016.

The aviation industry recognises that, although it’s responsible for less than 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions from human activity, it must be committed to growing sustainably and reducing growth of its emissions. We firmly support the four-pillar strategy to reduce emissions developed by our industry body – the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Read more about this strategy at www.enviro.aero(Opens in a new window).

We implement this strategy by employing advanced technology throughout our group, including in aircraft and engines; encouraging governments to make air navigation more fuel- and emission-friendly; reducing the environmental impact of our ground operations; and supporting the development of a global sectoral approach to carbon emissions through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations agency for international civil aviation.

The aviation industry has actively called on the world’s governments to put in place a single global market-based measure to address carbon emissions from international aviation. Governments reached a historical agreement on the framework for this new scheme, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), at the 39th Session of the Assembly of ICAO in October 2016.

The CORSIA is intended to help achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020, covering international aviation emissions between countries that have volunteered to participate.

Emirates supports the efforts in ICAO to establish this global approach, and we’re committed to working with the ICAO to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and help to create a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

You can read more about the CORSIA on ICAO’s website(Opens in a new window).