Air Canada has a long history of working together with other leaders in aviation to collectively reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
Industry associations
As member of the following associations, Air Canada is actively involved in a number of industry initiatives to understand, strategize, and affect environmental protection:
Star Alliance
Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience, the
Star Alliance network offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries.
Less than two years after the alliance was founded in 1997, Air Canada, along with the rest of the founding member carriers, signed an
Environmental Commitment Statement outlining six principles that would “challenge us to reduce our impact on the environment and maintain a healthy balance between progress and environmental sustainability.”
Biosphere Connections
The Star Alliance Network has entered into
Biosphere Connections, a three year partnership with three global environmental conservation agencies:
- UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme is a global network of internationally-recognized ecosystems designated as biosphere reserves in 102 countries, including the World Heritage sites.
- The World Conservation Union (IUCN) brings together scientists and conservation experts from 181 countries to assist societies in the conservation of natural diversity and the equitable and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources.
- The Ramsar Wetlands are made up of over 1,600 wetland sites covering over 150 million hectares, designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and an intergovernmental treaty with over 150 member countries. More wetland sites are added on a regular basis.
The Star Alliance shares the long-term goals of these partner organizations:
- to conserve biodiversity and natural resources in biosphere reserves, world heritage sites, and wetlands
- to achieve sustainable development of human communities and the ecosystems they depend on
In addition, The Star Alliance wishes to demonstrate a collective commitment to improved environmental management as well as the long-term health and well-being of society and the planet.
Star Alliance supports its Biosphere Connections partners in their work to achieve conservation and sustainable development around the world through promotion of the partnership through the allocation of a limited number of tickets to allow field workers to attend conferences and meetings of benefit to them. Furthermore, member carriers will promote Biosphere Connections through all the communication channels at their disposition.
