The
environment has attracted the most attention since it is the most important
piece of the human system, which is made up of social and economic systems.
Environmental sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural
resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now
and in the future. Because so many decisions that impact the environment are
not felt immediately, a key element of environmental sustainability is its
forward-looking nature. Hence, businesses should focus on reducing their total
detrimental effect on the environment to create a truly prosperous and
sustainable environment for all living forms (sphera, 2020).
Focusing
on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT BY SRILANKAN AIRLINES
“An airline dedicated to preserve the nature
for future”
SLA as a responsible corporate entity, which established its
environmental initiatives in 2009 with a ‘Planet Friendly SriLankan’ moto, has
always been praised by IATA as one of the most conservation-minded airlines in the
region. Embedding the best practices into its daily operations and being
strengthened with environmental policies, SLA always takes pride in their
environmental agenda, which focuses on Green House Gas (GHG) emission
mitigation, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDC). The dedicated team of SLA has engaged in initiatives that solely
focused on environmental conservation, by collaborating with local and
international stakeholders. Ultimately, SLA strives to be the change that
people want to see in the world.
SriLankan concentrates on areas such as energy wastage management,
carbon management, solid waste management, and water management, etc., to
lessen the environmental impact and sustain it for subsequent generations. The
projects and actions undertaken in this respect are listed below.
ENERGY WASTE MANAGEMENT
A
Solar Bike project by SriLankan Staff – 2015
The
creative minds of the Electrical Team of Properties and Facilities Division of
SLA invented a solar-powered motorbike for Sri Lankan Airlines. An upcoming
renewable energy source, solar energy, is used to charge a recycled battery
which intern utilized to power a motorbike. This is the first-ever similar
invention in Sri Lanka that incorporated renewable and recycling concepts that
contribute to zero carbon emission. This effort stands out as a prime example
of how recyclable resources can be used to save energy, thereby reducing
operational costs (SriLankan Airlines, 2015).
Regenerating
Sealed Batteries – 2013
The
Properties Division of SLA came up with the project of regenerating Sealed
Batteries. The Electrical Facilities section of the Properties Division has
managed to regenerate about 500 batteries. A battery can be regenerated 3 times
in its lifetime and can be used for 5 years before regenerating again. Furthermore,
this initiative brings on an annual saving of LKR 9 million to the Airline (SriLankan Airlines, 2013)
CARBON MANAGEMENT
‘Flygreen’
- Voluntary Carbon Offset Mechanism - 2018
SriLankan
teamed up with the IATA along with
‘ClimateCare’ UK and introduced a voluntary
carbon offset functionality in the ticket reservation process, which allows
passengers to make voluntary contributions to mini-hydropower projects in Sri
Lanka to offset the flight-related carbon footprint of the Airline. The
installation of hydropower plants enables the production of renewable energy by
avoiding approximately 13,000 tons of Green House Gas Emissions (CO2
emissions) and generating just under 20 GWh of clean electricity every year for
the Sri Lankan National Grid. ‘Flygreen’ has been independently certified for
its quality and transparency by the QAS in the UK and has been praised by IATA
repeatedly (SriLankan Airlines, 2018), (SriLankan Airlines, 2015).
Planet Friendly Flights - 2009
SriLankan Airlines’ first ‘Green’ flight, UL
557, made its way to Frankfurt on the 21st March 2009, heralding a new chapter
in the Aviation history of Sri Lanka while becoming the First South Asian Carrier
to show such full and unconditional commitment to the environment conservation.
This flight is set to minimize its carbon footprint by implementing various
operational initiatives which have an impact on enhancing fuel consumption,
reducing carbon emissions, and also reducing noise levels (SriLankan Airlines, 2009).
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
‘Give Back Life’ to PET Bottles - 2021
SriLankan
Airlines launched this project in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Sri
Lanka Ltd. to recover and recycle used PET plastic bottles for manufacturing
yarn for materials. This initiative for PET bottle collection at Sri Lankan
Airlines will drive staff mobilization and will maximize the existing waste
management infrastructure within the company. Furthermore, this project
intended to inspire the airline’s staff towards a habit of responsible disposal
of PET plastics which would otherwise find their way to landfills, burnt
openly, or pollute our precious oceans. #SayNo2plastics (SriLankan Airlines, 2021)
Biogas
Plant for SriLankan – 2013
SriLankan
introduced an in-house biogas plant to address the issue of not having a proper
disposal procedure for the waste generated at the canteen. Biogas is a
by-product of this anaerobic digestion which contains Methane (more than 60%)
giving it the flammable property enabling SriLankans to use it in the process
of cooking or as an engine fuel. This project produces 4500kg of gas per annum,
and SriLankan has replaced a 5 kWhr boiler which will save nearly LKR 600,000.00
per annum. This installation benefits SLA by a minimal contribution to the Green House effect and it is less harmful
than the gas emitted from burning conventional fossil fuels
(LP Gas) (SriLankan Airlines, 2013).
ECO-FREINDLY PRACTICES AND TRAINING
SriLankan
relies on electronic documentation and communication, to reduce the use of
paper. And they recycle paper and plastic waste through a reputed recycling
company. E-waste is also disposed responsibly through a certified company
following accepted norms.
The
SriLankan Aviation College continues to support the Company’s green initiatives
by promoting responsible environmental practices in training and remains
focused on its efforts to be ‘paperless’ in terms of using training aids,
preparing manuals, and carrying out examinations. SLAC is declared as a ‘No to
polythene’ zone.
WATER MANAGEMENT
A New Wastewater Treatment Plant For 747
Aircraft Hangar - 2014
SriLankan
Airlines invested in a wastewater treatment plant for its Largest Aircraft
hangar and related workshops. This new investment was made not only to comply
with the legal compliance but also to achieve an environmental objective. By
commissioning such a project, the airline managed to release clean water into
nature and reduce its environmental impact. Furthermore, the wastewater
treatment plant meets all the parameters and standards stipulated by the
Central Environment Authority for the discharge of industrial effluent into the
environment (SriLankan Airlines, 2014).
Worldwater Day 2014 - Creating a Sustainable Water Management
Pathway and Raising Awareness of the Value of this priceless, yet depleting
resource.
GSR - GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE REMEDIATION
Preserving The Scenic Charms of Sandy Shores - 2021
The SriLankan Airlines’ environment unit
organized a beach clean-up program at the PreethiPura Beach, Handala. It was a
staff engagement program focused on cleaning close to 2 kms of shoreline along
the western seaboard of the island. The Sri Lanka Coastal Conservation
department and the Sri Lanka Coast guard joined hands with the national carrier
to support this effort. And they were able to remove over 350kgs of plastics,
polythene, and other waste from the coastline within a short time frame (SriLankan Airlines, 2021).
SriLankan Airlines Supports ‘Thuruliya
Wenuwen Api’ - 2021
The Environment Unit of SriLankan Airlines
initiated ‘A plant for Wilpattu’, a staff engagement project on the environment
day 2019, to support the ‘Thuruliya Wenuwen Api’. It is a reforestation program
established by Sri Lankan Army to replant 2000 hectares in the forest complex
adjoining the Wilpattu National Park. SriLankan staff and its unions generously
contributed to this project and with the help of the airline’s Green fund, the
environment unit raised LKR 680,000/-, the cost to replant and maintain half an
acre of forest patch for three years (SriLankan Airlines, 2021).
OTHER PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
SriLankan Airlines Supports ‘United for
Wildlife’ - 2016
Pledging the support against illegal global
trade in wildlife, SriLankan joined the worldwide movement - ‘United for
Wildlife’ initiative. This was spearheaded by the Royal Foundation of The Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry of the UK. SriLankan together with
seven of the world’s most influential wildlife protection organizations
continued to work towards the eleven commitments set out in the ‘Buckingham
Palace Declaration’ under this initiative (SriLankan Airlines, 2016).
SriLankan
Policy on ‘Carriage of Fauna and Flora’ - 2018
Under
the program ‘United for Wildlife’, SriLankan formulated a comprehensive
corporate policy on the ‘Carriage of Fauna and Flora’ onboard SriLankan
aircraft. Aligned to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES), the policy sets out their allegiance to the international
conservation practices including the ban on transporting wild game hunting
trophies, parts of endangered species, and non-human primates for laboratory
purposes, etc. (SriLankan Airlines, 2018). Furthermore, SriLankan has implemented
a number of other policies to safeguard the wonders of nature.
Inking the Blueprints to Formulate an
Environment Management System – Internal Awareness Program - 2019
Knowing the importance of formulating an
Environmental Management System (EMS), SriLankan Environment Unit organized an
awareness session on ISO 14001:2015 Environment Standards for the airline’s
staff. The awareness session focused on offering a thorough grasp of the EMS.
The program gave awareness of its latest developments and responsibilities that
each employee needs to comply with to conform to the system (SriLankan Airlines, 2019).
Sustainable Packaging
SriLankan Airlines provides a Travel Hygiene
Pack for all passengers on resumption of normal operations from the base
international airport in Colombo. The pack will consist of a 3 Ply Surgical
Mask and Sanitizer, in sustainable packaging.
RIPPLE EFFECT OF BEING ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE
Implementing such changes has an optimistic
impact on individuals and the environment. These improvements have met the
fundamental human needs for clean air, water, and nutrition, as well as the
enhanced protection of local and regional ecosystems and biological diversity.
It has further reduced harmful health effects by eliminating excessive
pollutions. And these actions have created a clean, prosperous ecosystem for
future generations, who will eventually benefit from improved air and water
quality, fewer landfills, and more renewable energy sources (Institute for Sustainable Communities, n.d.).
As a result, Sri Lankan has made significant
annual savings from energy, water, and other wastage management projects as
opposed to quicker, short-term cost reductions. They've also enhanced their
brand image and gained a competitive advantage. Other benefits include
increased customer loyalty, attracting employees and investors, and increased
productivity. Furthermore, these sustainability development initiatives have
awakened the inventiveness of SriLankan while also strengthening their ability
to comply with legislative pressures.
