Environmental Pillar

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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.


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