One of many questions was requested on behalf of environmental group FossielVrij. The questioner puzzled why Air France-KLM’s progress plans have been mentioned in the course of the assembly, whereas its planes pollute the local weather. “Persevering with on this path results in loss, in the end to the lack of all life on Earth.” As a substitute, the airline group ought to “lastly admit” that its enterprise mannequin is something however sustainable.
In response to Smith, the thought of not flying in any respect is out of the query. “That will be damaging for all our stakeholders, that might not profit anybody,” he mentioned. However “steps should actually be taken” to cut back the influence on the local weather, though Air France-KLM is already forward of different main carriers, in line with Smith.
Out of date units
Smith mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg information company on Monday that Air France-KLM is changing much more outdated longer-haul plane with extra fuel-efficient plane. Replacements are anticipated to happen in 2025 or past.
One other reproach was that Air France-KLM doesn’t adjust to the agreements within the Paris Local weather Settlement. KLM’s high lady, Marjan Rintel, didn’t agree, though she said that the airline ought to scale back emissions even quicker. “However our discount plans are in keeping with the goals of the Paris settlement.”
With these plans, Air France-KLM would find yourself with international warming “nicely under 2 levels Celsius”. That is additionally said by the Science Primarily based Targets initiative (SBTi), which assesses and screens corporations’ CO2 discount targets based mostly on local weather science.
Rintel greenwashing
Nonetheless, in line with Peer de Rijk of Milieudefensie, Rintel is “intentionally greenwashing”. With KLM’s objective of emitting 30 % much less CO2 in 2030 in comparison with 2019, “the Paris Local weather Settlement is nowhere close to being met”. In response to Milieudefensie, this needs to be a forty five % discount. Critics additionally level out that the 30 % discount is a relative goal, measured per kilometer flown. In absolute phrases, KLM goals for a 12 % discount in emissions.
