RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER

ETIHAD INCREASES ITS PURCHASE OF CARBON OFFSETS

ETIHAD AIRWAYS is increasing its purchase of carbon o sets, while at the same time, moving ahead with a programme that will allow passengers to purchase additional o sets for their ights. e airline, which purchased 80,000 tonnes of carbon o sets in November, is expanding this programme beyond the original Makame Savannah REDD project in Tanzania to include Peru’s Cordillera Azul National Park and Indonesia’s Katingan Mentaya Project.

By 2021, the Cordillera Azul project aims to have protected 1.6 million hectares of threatened forest and 28 high conservation value species, supported 716 jobs and created or supported 25 sustainable enterprises, while the Katingan Mentaya Project protects 149,800 hectares of peat swamp forest and vital habitats for ve critically endangered species, including Bornean orangutans, southern Bornean gibbons and proboscis monkeys. Both projects are certi ed by the Veri ed Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standard.

Etihad has purchased the o sets through Shell, which has launched a platform to trade REDD+ forestry credits.

REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the + signi es the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Shell has committed to invest US$300 million in nature-based solutions – projects that protect, transform or restore land – over the next three years. In this way, nature absorbs more CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. ese projects can lead to the marketing, trading and sale of carbon credits.

Tony Douglas, CEO, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Exactly one year ago, we committed to a sustainable future with the very real, tangible objective to be completely carbon neutral by 2050 and to reduce CO2 emissions to 50 per cent of 2019 levels by 2035.

“Since then, the aviation industry has been completely transformed by the COVID-19 crisis, however our commitment to sustainability has never wavered. We have since introduced and led a number of industry-leading sustainability initiatives to further drive and promote carbon neutrality, of which today’s announcement is just the latest.”

Anna Mascolo, President, Shell Aviation, said until sustainable aviation fuel and technology solutions had been developed and deployed at scale, o setting was not a choice, but a necessity.

“ is agreement [with Etihad] is a great example of action that can be taken today to engage multiple parties in accelerating aviation’s pathway to net zero emissions,” she added.

Etihad Airways has also revealed new elements of its upcoming voluntary customer o set programme. e airline is working with New Zealand Carbon O setting company Carbon Click, “a platform that uses certi ed Gold Standard o sets to reduce the climate impact of aviation through ethical, fully traceable reforestation and renewable energy projects”, to develop the programme.

ABOVE: Indonesia’s Katingan Mentaya project protects the habitat of endangered species

Soneva Jani expands eco-luxury o ering

Soneva, the luxury resort operator with sustainability at its core, has announced the launch of Soneva Jani, Chapter Two.

The Maldivian resort has expanded its portfolio of villas, added new dining concepts, opened a Soneva Wellness Centre and launched the Soneva Unlimited concept.

The new over-water and island villas are ultraluxurious and private - these Water Reserves, some with a retractable roof for stargazing, have been crafted to the highest environmental standards using sustainable materials such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified woods and state-of-the-art technology to reduce their impact on the planet.

Guests booked into Chapter Two reserves access the new Soneva Unlimited all-inclusive concept encompassing dining, experiences, a dedicated Barefoot Butler and much more. New dining o erings include So Wild by Diana Von Cranach (pictured left), a fully plant-based restaurant in the midst of the Organic Garden. Diana’s 50 years of experience in plant-focused dining come to life in a menu that draws inspiration from Ayurveda and highlights ingredients grown at the resort. Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru in a 5.6-km lagoon in the Noonu Atoll and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH Biodiversity loss and the climate crisis are greater threats than COVID-19 and we’ve seen strict carbon reduction targets attached to some bailouts. Ine cient ‘o setting’ will come under greater scrutiny. Tourists will attach increasing value to genuine sustainability measures and the desire to reconnect with nature will see re-wilding and conservation breaks take root.

Responsible Travel Founder & CEO, Justin Frances, on 2021 travel trends

Boeing makes sustainable aviation pledge

Boeing has set an ambitious target to advance the long-term sustainability of commercial aviation. The aircraft manufacturer has committed to delivering commercial airplanes that are capable and certified to fly on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuels by 2030.

Boeing has previously conducted successful test flights replacing petroleum jet fuel with 100 per cent sustainable fuels to address the urgent challenge of climate change.

According to the Air Transport Action Group, U.S. Department of Energy and several other scientific studies, sustainable aviation fuels reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 per cent over the fuel’s life cycle with the potential to reach 100 per cent in the future.

Today, sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend — the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications. In order to meet aviation’s commitment for reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent from 2005 levels by 2050, airplanes need the capability to fly on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuels well before 2050.

Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality, partnering globally with airlines, industry, governments and research institutions to expand limited supplies and reduce the fuels’ cost.

In 2018, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight test programme conducted the world’s first commercial airplane flight using 100 per cent sustainable fuels with a 777 Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.

Katara Towers in sustainable rating first

e Katara Towers development at Lusail has become the rst hospitality project in Qatar to receive a GSAS Design & Build ve-star rating certi cate at the design stage. e Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s rst performance-based green building certi cation programme, utilised by buildings, districts and infrastructure projects to assess their environmental impact.

With the project design assessed by sustainability experts at the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the awarded provisional certi cate re ects the expected level of green credentials to be achieved by Katara Towers upon completion.

“GSAS-D&B has been implemented on a range of public and private projects in Lusail City, but the iconic twin towers stand out in more ways than one,” said GORD Founding Chairman Dr. Yousef Alhorr.

“As the rst GSAS-D&B ve-star hotel project, Katara Towers will be a pioneering name in Qatar’s sustainable hospitality sector. e provisional certi cate marks the continuity of Katara Hospitality’s journey towards sustainable built environment.” e iconic Katara Towers development is an architectural translation of Qatar’s national seal, representing the traditional scimitar swords. ese arched towers will host a ve-star hotel.

Under the scope of GSAS-D&B certi cation for the towers, the project will feature a range of features aimed at minimising negative environmental impacts linked with building and construction. ey encompass energy reduction initiatives resulting in 40 per cent less energy consumption compared to a conventional building, as well as an advanced water conservation and waste management systems. With a focus human wellbeing key to GSAS standards, the twin towers will create a healthy indoor environment by maintaining optimum levels of air quality, acoustics, lighting and thermal comfort.

Expo gives visitors rst glimpse of Terra – e Sustainability Pavilion

With its October opening fast approaching, Expo 2020 Dubai is inviting visitors to be among the first to explore Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion and surrounding spaces.

O ering a glimpse of what the next World Expo promises, the Pavilions Premiere will provide an opportunity for visitors to experience, discover and engage with the event’s Thematic Pavilions, as well as enjoy entertainment, children’s activities, food and beverage, retail and more until April 10, 2021.

The limited-time preview showcase started with Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, which opened to the public on January 22. Alif – The Mobility Pavilion and Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion will open this month (March).

Terra sets an international example for sustainable building design and is built to be net-zero for both energy and water. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, its impressive features include 1,055 photovoltaic panels arranged on a 130-metrewide roof canopy and a mini forest of ‘Energy Trees’. Terra tour highlights include an interactive walk through the roots of a forest where every footstep a ects the ‘wood-wide web’.

Allowing visitors to explore the hidden harmful impacts of our choices, the emotive experience is designed to encourage all ages to consider how their behaviour a ects the environment, empowering them to become agents of change.

TIME Hotels puts sta and communities rst in 2021

UAE-headquartered TIME Hotels has underscored its commitment to sta welfare and positively supporting local communities with the launch of a 2021 CSR calendar.

The year-long campaign is based around the four pillars of workplace, marketplace, community and environment, with each month dedicated to a di erent theme.

TIME has already kicked-o the year with team building exercises in the workplace, health initiatives, a clean-up drive to support environmental goals (pictured) and a focus on female employees as part of International Women’s Day, while Earth Hour will be honoured this month (March).

The second half of the year will begin with a blood donation drive with breast and prostate cancer awareness drives to follow. A happiness initiative will be rolled out throughout the year, focusing on both employees and hotel guests.