2021 report details progress on environmental, community and
employee initiatives
MONTREAL, Aug. 31,
2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada has released the 2021
edition of Citizens of the World, describing how the carrier
has advanced a range of sustainability programs despite the impact
of COVID-19 on the global airline industry. The document, Air
Canada's annual corporate sustainability report, details the
airline's progress in such areas as safety, wellness, the
environment, and employee and community engagement.
"Although COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on airlines
globally, I am proud that Air Canada has kept moving forward on its
ESG initiatives and remains focused on its long-term sustainability
goals. This has included keeping our customers and employees safe,
reducing our environmental footprint, and contributing to the
well-being of the communities we serve, notably through the Air
Canada Foundation," said Michael
Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air
Canada. "We know that the effects of the pandemic are transitory,
but to address sustainability risks and opportunities and help
create a more sustainable aviation industry requires a long-term
commitment and strategy. Citizens of the World is one way we
are demonstrating our determination by reporting on our
progress."
Citizens of the World, Air Canada's 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report,
is available at www.aircanada.com. It details how the airline
integrates environmental and social factors into its daily
operations through three sustainability pillars: Our Business,
Our People and Our Planet. To ensure transparency, integrity and
accountability, an independent third party was retained for a
limited assurance engagement on select performance indicators.
Highlights of this year's report include:
- In 2021, Air Canada released its new Climate Action Plan, which
includes ambitious milestones to achieve its long-term goal of
net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Air Canada launched the Leave
Less Travel Program, offering corporate customers the opportunity
to reduce their carbon footprint related to business travel.
- The recall of over 10,000 employees and the hiring of new
recruits to Air Canada's operations groups in 2021, and the
associated training programs to support the employees' return,
growth and development in their role, including in safety
matters.
- To underscore its commitment to customer and employee safety,
it operated through the year under a comprehensive program, Air
Canada CleanCare+, to apply industry-leading biosafety measures at
each stage of the journey.
- In 2021, the Air Canada Foundation raised more than
$1 million and dispersed close to
$600,000 to support close to 160
charities.
- Air Canada celebrated the
15-year anniversary of the Aeroplan member donation
program. In 2021, close to 65 million points were donated by
Aeroplan and its Members through the Aeroplan Member Donation
Program.
Air Canada closely monitors
developments in ESG reporting. In 2022, Air Canada also issued
its first report aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related
Financial Disclosures (TCFD), also available at
www.aircanada.com.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag
carrier and a founding member of Star
Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation
network celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. Air
Canada provides scheduled
passenger service directly to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the
United States and 86 internationally. It is the only
international network carrier in North
America to receive a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax, which
in 2021 gave Air Canada awards for the Best Airline Staff in
North America, Best Airline Staff
in Canada, Best Business Class
Lounge in North America, and an
excellence award for managing COVID-19. Through its leading
travel loyalty Aeroplan program, Air Canada offers the ability to
earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner
network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of
merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division,
Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to
hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada's
passenger flights and cargo-only flights with its fleet of Boeing
767-300 freighters. Air Canada has
committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations
by 2050.
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