United Continental Holdings Introduces Eco-Skies Initiative
United Continental Holdings Introduces Eco-Skies Initiative
United Continental Holdings, Inc. unveiled the merged company's new environmental commitment with a focus on reducing its impact on the environment in the air, on the ground, at facilities, with its business partners and across its communities.
To celebrate Earth Day, the company introduced Eco-Skies, its initiative and commitment to protecting the environment. As part of this program, the company donated up to $2 to Conservation International for every customer who used a mobile boarding pass, and sponsored the Earth Day Festival at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago.
"With our commitment to the environment at the new United, we lead commercial aviation as an environmentally responsible company by taking responsible actions today that shape an environmentally sustainable future," said Toby Enqvist, vice president of environmental affairs and security for United.
The commitment includes reducing fuel use and improves fuel efficiency of its aircraft and vehicles through technology and process innovation, advancing and using environmentally responsible and cost-efficient alternative fuels. It will also work to improve the sustainability of products and its facilities, and responsibly manage wastes generated by its business activities. And it will work together with its co-workers and partner with its stakeholders -- customers, airports, business partners, suppliers, governments and NGOs -- to promote accountability and protect the environment while achieving its business goals.
The companies said that they already have improved fuel efficiency by 32 percent since 1994, and have led the industry in advancement of alternative fuels. Continental was the first North American carrier to perform a two-engine aircraft flight demonstration using sustainable biofuels derived from algae and jatropha, and United made the first U.S. commercial flight using synthetic fuel made from natural gas. At its stations, more than 3,600 of the company's ground service equipment are alternatively fueled or zero emission.
Over the last five years, the companies recycled more than 3 million pounds of aluminum cans and plastic items from waste generated in flight. At its hubs and facilities, the company reduces waste, recycles and builds LEED-certified office space when possible. The companies also provide customers the option to save paper and use mobile boarding passes. Customers also may go carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets through the company's nonprofit partner Sustainable Travel International.
For every customer who uses a mobile boarding document to board on Earth Day, the company will donate $1 to help Protect an Acre with its global nonprofit partner Conservation International. For customers who use the Continental Mobile App for Android or iPhone, the company will double the contribution to $2. Conservation International's Protect an Acre initiative works to curb tropical deforestation, a leading cause of climate change, while preserving the livelihoods of local communities and the natural habitats of threatened species.
More than 10 million customers have used their cell phone or PDA at 89 domestic and international airports equipped to accept mobile boarding passes since the airlines introduced the program in 2007. United and Continental customers have saved approximately 1,200 trees by opting to board using a mobile device in lieu of a printed boarding pass.
In addition, United sponsored the Earth Day celebration in its hometown, Chicago, where it unveiled Eco-Skies and its commitment to the environment and showcase an electric baggage tractor.
