Qatar Airways engages with IATA on environmental sustainability training

Qatar Airways has selected the ‘Certificate of Advanced Studies in Environmental Sustainability in Aviation Programme’ offered in partnership between the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the University of Geneva. Qatar Airways is the first airline in the Middle East to secure accreditation to the highest level in the IATA Environmental Assessment Programme (IEnvA). With the increasing focus on aviation and the environment, the programme is built according to the needs of the industry, so that managers and business leaders will be better prepared to tackle tomorrow’s demands in ensuring environmental sustainability. The programme consists of six modules: Design a Sustainability Strategy, Environmental Management Systems in Aviation Intensive, Responsible Leadership, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Corporate Social Responsibility and Organisational Ethics, and Carbon Markets and Aviation. These courses will help aviation professionals to understand how to lead and make decisions responsibly and avoid ethical blindness. Qatar Airways has committed to training its employees and sharing its knowledge in developing a well-versed sustainability strategy and best practices on implementing an effective environmental management system. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker said, “Talent development is vital to sustainable business growth and success. Employees need to acquire the knowledge, skills and values to act for the planet, enabling them to serve as driving forces of Qatar Airways’ sustainable environmental management. We encourage the industry to follow our lead in educating employees in environmental sustainability training as a step towards achieving the industry’s sustainability goals.” IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said, “We are honoured that Qatar Airways has selected our new Environmental Sustainability training to ensure that its employees can acquire the new skill set needed, as the industry emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic and begins to rebuild based in a more sustainable manner.” As Qatar Airways continues to incorporate environmental sustainability, as well as sound business practices into its daily operations, it believes that employees must be given opportunities to learn how to be proactive in pursuit of sustainable environmental management in their own operations. In early June 2021, Qatar Airways rolled out a bespoke e-learning programme to increase environmental sustainability awareness among its staff, so they can learn how to effectively incorporate environmental perspectives into the daily operations of their respective divisions. By embedding the right skills and training for its employees, Qatar Airways can maintain compliance and stay up-to-date with any necessary changes.