LATAM and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will collaborate to identify conservation projects, protecting iconic ecosystems such as the Amazon, the Chaco, the Orinoco plains, the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, among others.
Being carbon neutral by 2050, zero waste in landfills by 2027 and protecting iconic ecosystems in South America are some of the commitments that form part of the group's Sustainability Strategy LATAM released today (5/5).
“We are facing a critical moment in human history, with a severe climate crisis and a pandemic that has changed our society. Today, it is not enough to do the usual. As a group, we have a responsibility to go further in the search for collective solutions.”
“We want to be an actor that promotes the social, environmental and economic development of the continent and, therefore, we are assuming a commitment that seeks to contribute to the conservation of ecosystems and the well-being of the people of South America, making this region a place better for everyone, says Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
One of the big announcements is the first phase of a collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to plan conservation and reforestation actions for iconic South American ecosystems. TNC is a global environmental organization that works with scientific criteria, creating solutions to our planet's most pressing challenges so that nature and people can thrive together.
“With more than 35 years of experience in Latin America, our scientific studies have shown that forest restoration and regeneration can efficiently contribute to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets.”
“TNC believes that multisectoral collaboration can accelerate the deployment of nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity and develop a more prosperous future for people in the region”, says Ian Thompson, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Brazil.
A strategy for the next 30 years
The sustainability strategy for the next 30 years includes four work pillars: environmental management, climate change, circular economy and shared value. The lines of action were drawn up collaboratively with specialists and environmental organizations from across the continent and involve an investment of around US$ 100 million over 10 years.
With regard to the climate change pillar, the group announced that it will work to reduce its emissions through the incorporation of sustainable fuels and new aviation technologies that, it is estimated, will be available from 2035.
“The environment cannot wait 15 years until we have the necessary technologies to reduce emissions. That is why we will work in parallel to promote these transformations and offset our emissions through nature-based solutions”, says Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
Through the development of a portfolio of conservation projects and other initiatives, the LATAM group will seek to offset 50% of domestic emissions by 2030, establishing a path to be carbon neutral by 2050. The action will include iconic ecosystems in South America, such as the Amazon, the Chaco, the Orinoco plains, the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, among others.
In addition, the LATAM group will promote a program to offer engers, corporate and cargo customers the option of offsetting CO2 emissions related to their travels. At the same time, the group will offset the same amount of CO2 emissions as customers in a 1+1 program.
In circular economy, the LATAM group is committed to promoting a culture of elimination, reduction, reuse and recycling throughout the entire operation to arrive in 2027 as a group that generates zero waste for landfill.
To this end, single-use plastics will be phased out by 2023 and the onboard recycling program will be expanded across all LATAM Group domestic routes, and all VIP lounges will become 100% sustainable.
Likewise, the group will implement a uniform recycling program in all countries and a plan to replace materials on board with compostable, recyclable or certified items.
As for the shared value pillar, the group will expand its capacity to transport people and cargo for health and environmental care programs, and in natural disasters.
It is important to that, since the beginning of the pandemic, thanks to Avião Solidário, more than 29,4 million vaccines have been transported free of charge through its branches, more than 1.400 health professionals, more than 490 tons of medical supplies and more than 1.500 organs and tissues in South America. The program also carried out 10 transports of stem cells for patients with leukemia.
And, in the case of environmental management, the LATAM group will implement a transparent and auditable system, which will make it possible to take into the environmental variables of all the group's processes and operations. The environmental certification will be the IEnvA, which is granted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a reference in the sector.
Check out the presentation video of “A Necessary Destination” at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wen6MbJPuVQ_QVsW75k2X1BuSMlyau4v/view?usp=sharing
More information on www.latam.com/sustainability.
Street: LATAM Airlines
