Sustainable Travel

For the third consecutive year, Air France KLM, listed as the number 1 sustainable airline group, is included in the list of firms in the two Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes:

• DJSI World, on a worldwide scale,
• DJSI STOXX, on a European scale.

Air France KLM is the only airline group to be included simultaneously in both indexes.

- We are very proud of this top position, which recognizes our commitments to both guarantee our economic performance and our social and environmental responsibilities. But first and foremost, this special honour means we must pursue our actions within the framework of a realistic, determined and responsible strategy” commented Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Group Chairman and CEO.

Air France KLM will continue to implement its various action plans, notably with regard to reducing the impact of air transport on climate change: support of the Kyoto Protocol and inclusion of air transport in the European emissions trading scheme, the Group’s continued fleet modernization program, introduction of a CO2 emission calculator on the airlines’ websites and ultimately, the possibility for customers to offset CO2 emissions generated by flights and support of NGO environmental protection programs.

- I am very happy that our Group has maintained and improved its top position in its sector”, stated Peter Hartman, President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM. “Air France KLM has been listed number 1 airline in the World Index. This clearly demonstrates the pioneer position we have in the aviation industry and emphasizes that we are on the right track with our initiatives.”

The DJSI World groups the 10% of leading performers in terms of sustainable development, among 2,500 companies in 22 countries worldwide. Both indexes select firms with the best performance in this field, based on an audit carried out by the Swiss Group SAM (Sustainable Asset Management Indexes GmbH).

Air France KLM is currently listed in all the major sustainability indexes: DJSI World and DJSI STOXX, FTSE4Good and Aspi Eurozone.

Air France KLM is currently listed in all the major sustainability indexes: DJSI World and DJSI STOXX, FTSE4Good and Aspi Eurozone. The Group is also listed in the 'Global 100', grouping the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world, and also in the 'Ethibel' investment register with the 'Pioneer' label.

Source: eTurboNews.com / Boarding.no

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Caribbean countries Dominican Republic and St. Lucia have plans to address the sustainability of the Caribbean's tourism industry following the 2007 World Leadership Awards, produced by Counterpart International in New York City last week.

Lelei LeLaulu, president of the nongovernmental organisation, confirmed that two of the five honorees President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernández, and Senator Allen Chastanet of St. Lucia, the current Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, are considering a pan-Caribbean tourism strategy to use the region's multi-billion dollar tourism revenues to combat poverty.

LeLaulu said Counterpart was delighted that its laureates were "not sitting on their laurels but were actively assembling action plans to increase the value of tourism to all stakeholders, including local communities."

Regional marketing, Caribbean competitiveness, carbon footprints and tourism linkages, agreed LeLaulu were some of the key issues the two leaders are expected to explore in the months ahead. Counterpart International and the Dominican Republic's Global Foundation for Democracy and Development would be involved.

Senator Chastanet, St. Lucia's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, and President Fernández joined Paxton Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager of BET J and BET Digital Networks, and President of BET Event Productions; Public relations legend, David Finn, Cofounder and Chairman of Ruder Finn; and the Caribbean's largest carrier Air Jamaica in receiving Counterpart International's 2007 World Leadership Awards in New York City last Wednesday.

"Integrating the Caribbean's tourism players is now an urgent priority," said Senator Chastanet, who thanked Counterpart for facilitating the exchange with President Fernández. "The President is a sharp, visionary leader who can assist us in regional efforts for self-determination and sustainable development by embracing our cultural diversity and languages," said Chastanet, who had high hopes for the future of Caribbean tourism with sensible leadership and concrete action.

Addressing patrons at the Counterpart gala, President Fernández said, "The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, all of our countries are trying to make a comeback (from the influence of European colonialism) and integrate ourselves into the global economy through tourism, through foreign direct investments, through the promotion of information and communication technologies, through trade.

"Through different ways, we are trying to make a comeback and integrate ourselves into the rest of the world – no more through slavery, no more through exploitation; it is now through pride, through a sense of dignity, through a sense of recognition of cultural identity. I think we as brothers and sisters can keep on this path, and I know the values of democracy, peace and social justice are no more a dream or utopia."

Counterpart International, founded in 1965, gives people a voice in their own future through smart partnerships, offering options and access to tools for sustained social, economic and environmental development. Operating on five continents, Counterpart is supported by the generosity of its corporate and individual donors, foundations, host countries, multilateral institutions and several U.S. government agencies.

For further information about Counterpart International, visit www.counterpart.org.

Posted by BrianM at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)