Spirit of the Environment
With our spectacular natural landscape and unique wildlife being the essence of our country, Qantas is committed to implementing processes and policies that will help protect the environment for generations to come. Our aim is world class environment performance. Our commitment is outlined in our Group Environment Policy.
Qantas is actively involved in resource management including recycling, and water and energy efficiency projects.
Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
The Award
The 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' was launched on 29 February 2008 at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra.
We are committed to sustainable growth and support tourism businesses that protect, enhance and promote our distinctive destinations and environment. The annual 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' will:
- Recognise and reward tourism businesses that implement the principles of sustainable tourism; those who set out to minimise their impact on the local environment, conserve natural resources, respect local culture and benefit local communities.
- Inspire other tourism businesses to adopt new sustainable ways of doing business.
- Acknowledge tourism businesses that provide a unique travel experience and inspire visitors to promote Australia as one of world's leading sustainable tourism destinations.
Each of the State winners will receive a prize of $2,000. The national winner of the award, to be presented in February 2009, will receive a major prize of $25,000. This prize will need to be invested in an initiative or project in line with the philosophy of the award.
In addition, the national winner will receive coverage through Qantas' extensive communication channels, including 'Qantas - The Australian Way' inflight magazine and other inflight entertainment channels. This will provide significant exposure for these businesses to thousands of national and international consumers.
View more about the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.
To enter the 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' and for further criteria information, select your state:
Seminar Series
To complement the award, Qantas hosted one day seminars around Australia in October 2008 delivering a hands-on education campaign.
Cabin Waste Management
We are working with our recycling partner, Visy Closed Loop, to review and audit waste generated on board our aircraft. This will assist us to:
- determine the percentage of recyclable material being generated,
- identify areas where product wastage can be minimised, and
- identify areas where packaging can be reduced.
Our staff are also actively encouraged to help identify areas for improvement that will assist with reducing the amount of waste we generate.
Cork recycling supporting Guides Australia
Wine corks from domestic and international lounges around Australia are donated to Guides Australia, who use the proceeds of sale for environmental projects and to support membership for financially disadvantaged members.
Fuel Conservation at Qantas
We have set a target of 7.5% improvement in aviation fuel efficiency by June 2011 and we are working steadily towards this goal.
By investigating and implementing fuel saving initiatives, we will deliver significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We are currently focussing on initiatives such as aircraft weight reduction programs, flight planning processes, revised schedules and flight path changes. We are also examining alternative energy sources for ground-based operations.
Energy Efficiency - Electricity
Committed to energy efficiency improvements in all areas of our operations, we are already measuring our energy consumption and implementing programs to ensure continual efficiency improvement. These include energy efficient lighting, voltage reduction units and staff awareness training.
We also support the World Wildlife Funds 'Earth Hour' initiative. On 31 March 2007, Sydney residents were urged to turn off their lights for one hour, as a sign of their commitment to reduce global warming. Earth Hour was just the start of a campaign that aims to reduce Sydney's greenhouse emissions by 5% in 2007. The event demonstrated how simple actions can make the world of difference if everyone takes part. The success of the program may see this campaign spread to other towns and cities in Australia, and even around our world. Qantas helped promote Earth Hour, advertising the event at Sydney airport as well as on our inflight entertainment system.
Water Savings
We are looking at water efficiency improvements in all areas of our operations by measuring our water consumption and investigating methods to reduce consumption of potable water. These include waterless urinal systems, aircraft wash-water recycling and use of the grey-water where appropriate.
Wildlife Projects Assistance and Aluminium Can Recycling
Aluminium cans are collected from the Sydney Qantas Club lounge and recycled. Money raised from the sale of aluminium is used to help fund wildlife assistance projects, like the 'Ecocean' Whale Shark conservation program. This program is helping to protect this unique and threatened species by educating local communities of the benefits of whale shark protection and eco-tourism, versus hunting. Qantas Freight has provided logistical support and transport expertise to the whale shark program.
Visit the Ecocean website for more information on the whale shark program.
Helping to save the Tasmanian Devil
We are helping save the iconic Tassie devil from extinction in partnership with the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government.
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, and a mysterious disease is now threatening the future of these unique native creatures.
With the help of Australian Air Express, Qantas has freighted shipments of Tasmanian devils to wildlife parks on mainland Australia. These devils could one day play an important role in helping to re-establish healthy populations in Tasmania.
Tasmanian devil donation sculptures have also been placed into terminals at Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne and Launceston airports as well as the Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum (TMAG) and Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife visitor centres at Freycinet, Mt Field, Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair.
Qantas Scholarships at the University of Tasmania have also been established to further research into the disease.
You can join with Qantas and donate money at any of our collection sculptures to support research and help save this unique animal. Visit the University of Tasmania website for more details.
Landcare Australia
We are a partner of Landcare Australia, an organisation that provides a bridge between the community, government and business to 'do something practical' about protecting and repairing our environment
Landcare Australia is best known for its tree planting and bush regeneration activities. Since 2003, we have provided in-kind support to Landcare Australia and
funded a variety of Landcare projects that includes equipping the primary students of the Orara Valley on the NSW mid north coast with the resources to support the restoration of the degraded Orara River.
In May 2005, Qantas staff joined forces with the Benambra Landcare Group and other local volunteers to help revegetate a stretch of harsh terrain in the highlands of Victoria.
In 2007 we will continue our support of Landcare by funding the restoration and rehabilitation of the Orara River, supporting indigenous communities in Broome, and further protecting habitat in Tasmania for the threatened Tasmanian devil.
