Air New Zealand has taken top honours at the 2013 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
The airline was named the winner in the Global Tourism Business category at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) annual summit in Abu Dhabi, at which former US president Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker.
Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon said the award recognises the airline’s commitment to maintaining and protecting the country’s clean, green image.
"We take our responsibility to promote sustainability very seriously and continue to shrink our carbon footprint as we work towards our goal of becoming the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline.
"In fact we’ve reduced our carbon emissions by 15% (142,000 tonnes) over a five year period.
"Alongside this we’ve invested in enhancing some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural assets through our partnership with the Department of Conservation to support biodiversity projects on the Great Walks network," said Luxon.
" We have also invested in Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute to support important scientific research being conducted on the ice."
The airline also provides financial support to environmental projects around the country through the Air New Zealand Environment Trust and boasts a 3,000 strong internal Green Team which promotes environmental sustainability both at work and in the home.
