Air France-KLM’s contribution to climate change is due mainly to greenhouse gas emissions generated by its aircraft engines. The group has accepted and anticipated its responsibilities in respect of this planetary issue and is strengthening its efforts to curb its impact on climate change, notably through its Climate Action Plan and its modern fleet, which is continuously being renewed. It is mobilizing all its departments in its efforts to minimize its carbon footprint by pursuing flight optimization, reducing the impact of ground operations, and strongly supporting research. Air France and KLM have publicly committed to cut CO2 emissions. Biodiversity loss is a global issue. While the group recognizes that its direct impact on biodiversity may be limited, the indirect impact, through climate change, needs attention.
The main direct environmental impact of our activities comes from the emissions and noise generated by our aircraft and, to a lesser degree, liquid, gaseous, and solid waste generated by ground operations. At local level, the major impact stems from noise hindrance for local resident, which is minimized by using latest-generation aircraft and the development of the Continuous Descent Approach, and NOx emissions which affect air quality. Ground operations also consume energy and water resources while generating waste and emissions, with the attendant risks of polluting soil and water. The main indirect impact includes airport land use, the environmental footprint of suppliers and aircraft at their end-of-life cycle, so that aircraft dismantling is now a core concern for the group.
