Today, LATAM Airlines Group embarked on a sustainability program that will last the next three decades. The goal is for LATAM to ditch single-use plastics by 2023, stop landfill waste by 2027, and become carbon neutral by 2050. They’re following the pledges other airlines worldwide have made.
LATAM’s role on Latin American sustainability
Roberto Alvo, LATAM’s CEO, said today that the airline has a crucial role in helping the environment in South America. After all, LATAM Airlines Group is the largest carrier in Latin America. It has domestic branches in countries like Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The challenge becomes even bigger when we look closely at the importance South America has for the world, environmentally speaking. This region has six of the ten most biodiverse countries on Earth, one-third of the freshwater available, and 40% of all animal species, said Alvo.
“We are facing a critical moment in the history of humanity, with a serious climate crisis and a pandemic. Therefore, we are assuming a commitment that seeks to contribute to the conservation of ecosystems and the well-being of the people of South America,” Alvo said. LATAM today launched The Necessary Destination campaign to become sustainable through several initiatives and pillars in the following decades.
What is LATAM doing during the next few years?
Besides becoming neutral carbon by 2050, LATAM intends to do several other initiatives in the following years.
It will all start in 2023 when LATAM will stop the use of single-use plastics on all its flights. By 2027, the airline will achieve zero waste to landfill, protecting the ecosystems throughout South America.
Additionally, LATAM Group will contribute to offset 50% of its domestic emissions by 2030. This goal will also establish a path to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Alongside these measures, the Chilean-Brazilian company will promote a program allowing passengers to offset their CO2 emissions. In parallel, the group will offset the same amount of CO2 emissions as customers under the 1+1 program.
During the next decade, LATAM Airlines will invest US$100 million in its program toward sustainability.
Adhering to CORSIA and conservation projects
Currently, none of the countries in which LATAM flies domestically is part of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) program. Despite that, LATAM Airlines Group will voluntarily adhere to the ICAO’s initiative, said Alvo.
Nevertheless, buying carbon credits is not enough, said Roberto Alvo. The airline has to get involved with many other initiatives. The Necessary Destination campaign will be in place for the next three decades, and the steps that are taken today will benefit tomorrow, he added.
Therefore, LATAM and The Nature Conservancy launched a collaboration. They plan to conserve and reforest iconic ecosystems in South America, such as the Amazon, the Chaco, the Llanos of Orinoco, among others.
Additionally, through the circular economy process, LATAM is committed to promoting a culture of reuse and recycling. For example, it has signed agreements with Peruvian organizations to give a second life to used cabin crew uniforms.
Finally, LATAM will also reduce its emissions through the incorporation of sustainable fuels and new aviation technologies. Though, these new developments are still a few years ago before becoming mainstream.
“The environment cannot wait 15 years to have the necessary technologies to reduce emissions. This is why we will work in parallel to promote these transformations and offset our emissions through nature-based solutions”, said Alvo.
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