KLM pledges environmental improvements

Airline KLM will sign a pioneering environmental deal with the World Wildlife Fund (WNF) later to today (July 13th).

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has reached an agreement with the environmental group to drastically reduce its CO2 emissions and offset those that remain.

The agreement is part of KLM's target to achieve CO2-neutral growth in comparison with 2007 next year.

Under the terms of the agreement, KLM's environmental progress will be checked on an annual basis.

It is hoped that the new policy will help the airline reduce per passenger emissions by three per cent by 2012 and 17 per cent by 2020.

"Independent studies have shown that KLM is performing as the 'best in class' in terms of adopting measures to reduce CO2 emissions in comparison with other airlines," explained KLM president Peter Hartman.

"Our ambitions certainly are optimistic, and KLM has its sights set on staying ahead of the pack. We are convinced that our customers will react with enthusiasm."

Johan van de Gronden, managing director of the WNF, added: "Climate change is one of the biggest threats to people and animals in our time.

"On the basis of concrete agreements with large-scale companies, WNF tries to find ways to limit the effects of climate change as far as possible. This agreement with KLM will therefore benefit nature directly."

KLM flies from a number of UK airports, including Birmingham International Airport and Heathrow.