Emirates to support green projects

Emirates Airline has set aside US$150,000 for ‘A Greener Tomorrow'. The initiative, designed to support environmental or conservation projects, is open to any established not-for-profit environmental or conservation organisation to support a project with clear environmental outcomes, the airline said in a press release. Funds for the initiative have been raised through internal recycling programmes across the Emirates Group — with more than five million kilograms of material recycled a year. Applicants for ‘A Greener Tomorrow' will be assessed through two stages of review, with submissions to be first evaluated by an Emirates committee comprising senior executives, members of the environment department and a selection of Emirates staff with a passion for environmental issues. Submissions that meet the criteria will then be invited to present their project proposal in greater detail to the Emirates committee for final review. "With the success of the Emirates recycling programme, we were faced with an enviable position — how to utilise these funds and invest in the community; which lead to the creation of ‘A Greener Tomorrow',” said Andrew Parker, Senior Vice-President of Public, Industry, International and Environment Affairs. "Reflecting Emirates belief that sustainability is a necessity, not a choice, A Greener Tomorrow focuses on supporting not-for-profit organisations to achieve clear environmental outcomes, while we cannot yet make a difference everywhere. ‘A Greener Tomorrow' helps us take the first of many steps in that direction.” Emirates said it had recycled tonnes of obsolete aircraft chinaware into an oyster bed in Dubai and applied new air traffic management practices that reduced fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions. More information and the initiative criteria can be found at http://www.emirates.com/greenertomorrow, while those wanting to nominate an organisation can send the organisation's name, email address and contact telephone number to greenertomorrow@emirates.com. From Khaleej Times