Air Partner, the global aviation services group, has launched its new strategy to deliver positive change in the aviation industry by embedding sustainable practices into the core of its business.
The group’s recently appointed ESG Manager, Greg Charman, will ensure focussed engagement with a new sustainability strategy designed to improve internal operations, from staff development to carbon reduction programmes. At the same time, Air Partner will be encouraging stakeholders to act responsibly through meaningful partnerships with Raleigh International and Climate Care, to secure a more sustainable environment for future generations.
Air Partner recognises that parts of its operations take their toll on the environment. As part of their commitment to mitigate these affects, the group has now introduced auto-enrolment for all its private jet and group charter clients into a Carbon Offsetting scheme. Through an ongoing partnership with Climate Care, carbon emissions from flights are calculated and offset by adding a cost directly to the price of the flight.
This is a significant step-change for Air Partner, who have previously operated carbon offsetting on an opt-in basis. Clients can, of course, choose to opt out of the scheme should they wish but it’s hoped that this change will help reduce the impact that charter flights have on the environment.
Mark Briffa, CEO, Air Partner, says: “We are committed to acting responsibly with our people, our clients and our partners to deliver positive change through our evolving sustainability strategy, a natural part of our overall business strategy. As a global aviation services group with a wide network, we can make a difference, through local initiatives or larger scale international projects, to create a better world for the future.”
Air Partner is committed to the development of its people, equipping them to become responsible leaders. Its partnership with Raleigh International actively engages with the youth organisation’s commitment to addressing climate change by appointing project leaders on Raleigh International’s conservation initiatives that involve rewilding and nature conservation, while raising funds to support sustainability goals. Project leaders also receive training on environmental campaigning skills and oversee the development and health & safety of a group of young volunteers aged 18-24.
The wellbeing of the people at Air Partner is also of paramount importance within the strategy, which is why it works with the Charlie Waller Trust to provide the education and skills to build positive mental health throughout the group and promote a positive work culture.
Another step towards carbon reduction is the beginning of Air Partner’s tree planting activities. In December, Air Partner staff will be completing their first annual tree planting activity, planting hundreds of trees in East Sussex to help increase the carbon capture potential for the future.
Air Partner is actively reducing its internal resource consumption and the amount of carbon emissions the offices produce. Actions include working towards all offices going paperless by the end of 2022, encouraging online training courses, instead of face to face, whenever possible, increasing the use of renewable energy in its offices, and partnering primarily with catering companies which have a robust sustainability policy in place.
The Air Partner Group has a number of future ESG plans in development including: further development of the company’s safety and security virtual training offer, undertaking a review of the use of sustainable aviation fuel, and developing a sustainable procurement policy.
Air Partner’s ESG strategy is an evolving programme that will continuously develop new ways to manage the challenges the industry faces.