Flightpath. Sept 2013 | Page 29

29 Flightpath. [IATA] 1 2 2_The IEnvA programme looks at all aspects of an airline’s environmental performance, including catering. How to get started IEnvA is being introduced in two stages. This allows airlines to achieve notable milestones while recognising that airlines are at different levels in terms of skills and resources. »» Stage 1: This is a planning phase that gets all airlines to a common baseline with the implementation of the programme standards, including having an environmental policy and procedures to demonstrate legal compliance. »» Stage 2: At this point, airlines will need to demonstrate a functioning EMS. It will involve a more detailed and thorough assessment of the implementation of the EMS within the airline. The flexibility of IEnvA is furthered by breaking down elements of the scope into a modular approach. These modules fall under two categories; CORE and CORE+. CORE modules include flight operations and corporate activities that all airlines undertake, while CORE+ features the ancillary aspects of an airline’s business, such as ground operations. The assessments are conducted by independent environmental assessment organisations (EAOs). Two EAOs are currently involved, and are also accredited audit organisations for the IOSA programme. The EAOs will assess against mandatory requirements and recommended practices. Non- conformity with mandatory requirements results in a “Finding”. Unlike airline safety management standards, there are relatively few mandatory requirements for IEnvA. The assessment organisation then files a Corrective Action Report to which the airline must respond with a Corrective Action Plan to demonstrate conformity. Recommended practices involve certain procedures or types of equipment that are considered desirable but not obligatory. Nonconformity with a recommended practice would result in an “Observation” by the EAO, but not a Finding. Once an airline has established compliance, IEnvA promotes enhanced environmental performance through an iterative process of identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring environmental issues. “South African Airways has found the IEnvA programme to be an excellent method with which to plan an environmental strategy that is relevant, informative, and will affect real change in terms of environmental obligations,” says Ian Cruickshank, group environmental affairs, South African Airways. “IEnvA is an important tool that an airline can utilise to minimise environmental impacts and SAA intends pursuing The next steps The governance of IEnvA is provided by an action group comprising 16 airlines. A first meeting was held in March 2012 and a second annual general meeting took place in late February 2013 in Hong Kong, complemented by regular conference calls. The action group will become a formal Working Group by the end of 2013. As of July 2013, ten airlines had agreed to join the IEnvA programme, with seven having completed a Stage 1 Assessment in December 2012. The types of airlines that have joined the IEnvA programme reflect the diverse nature of IATA membership, ranging from airlines with a long-track record in sustainability through to those just starting on the environmental management path. “The inclusive and flexible nature of the IEnvA programme means that any airline, regardless of size, experience, and resources, can participate and demonstrably improve their environmental performance,” says Godson. F. »» Airlines involved in the IEnvA programme so far include: LAN, LAN Cargo, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Malaysia, Qatar Airways and Finnair. »» This article first appeared in the June 2013 issue of Airlines International. »» More information on the IEnvA programme can be found on the IATA website: www.iata.org THE WORLD’S AIRLINES IMPROVED AVERAGE FLEET FUEL EFFICIENCY BY 46% BETWEEN 1990 AND 2012, AND 18% BETWEEN 2001 AND 2012. them, a number of guidance and support tools are available. An Extranet allows airlines to access the standards, share ideas and solutions, and facilitates the sharing of other relevant information. A legal compliance to ?[?[?Z\??[??\??Y[?[?\]Z\?[Y[??]X?\?H??YHY][?[?\? ???W???HZ\?[?\??X?]?H\??Y?Y?H?H?HQ[??H???[[YH[?XYH?X?Z]?Y?\?Y?X?]\?]HPUHQ?K???Q[??H[?Q[??H??J?X??Y]][?\?H???\???H?]?[??\??Y[?[?X?K??'B????T?B??