Air NZ achieves Environmental Gold Accreditation

Media Release
9 June 2009

Air New Zealand achieves Environmental Gold Accreditation

Air New Zealand has been recognised as being amongst New Zealand’s most environmentally responsible tourism businesses with its achievement of Qualmark’s Enviro-Gold accreditation.

Enviro-Gold is the highest rating able to be achieved under Qualmark Green, a responsible tourism criteria designed to extend environmental and socially responsible actions for tourism businesses. The criteria recognises energy, water, waste, community, conservation programmes and monitoring.

Air New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Officer Norm Thompson today said the airline was delighted to have achieved the Gold standard.

Mr Thompson says as one of the biggest tourism businesses in New Zealand, the airline felt it was important to put itself under independent scrutiny through the Qualmark Green assessment.

“Air New Zealand is committed to becoming the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline and achieving the Enviro-Gold accreditation is another step in recognising the work we are achieving on that journey,” he says.

“Today we have also launched a new website (environewzealand.co.nz) which recognises Qualmark Green enviro-rated tourism businesses, making it easy for travellers to find out more information and plan their itineraries to include these activities. It’s another way in which Air New Zealand is helping to drive awareness of the great services and activities on offer in New Zealand.

Qualmark Chief Executive Officer Geoff Penrose says Air New Zealand’s performance within the responsible tourism criteria was exemplary, with a track record that includes a large number of fuel and carbon emission saving initiatives.

“Air New Zealand’s green programmes cover the spectrum of responsible tourism criteria ranging from water conservation and waste minimisation to an in-house Green Team, customer carbon offsetting programme and conservation activities such as the Air New Zealand Environmental Trust.

Mr Penrose says that Qualmark’s leadership in responsible tourism has to date achieved many tangible outcomes, with a key aim to ensuring visitor expectations of New Zealand’s clean green image is exceeded.

“Air New Zealand’s overall commitment highlights a large tourism business implementing both environmental and socially responsible practices throughout their organisation, and clearly demonstrates guardianship of the industry, which is to be applauded.”

Ends

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