Westjet's Commitment To Green - Supporting The Environment

Every company wants to ensure they are doing the best they can to help be environmentally friendly.  This is another part of Westjet’s Responsible Growth program. 

“Burning aviation fuel to operate our aircraft releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.” (http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/environment/index.shtml) 

To ensure their fleet operates in a most controlled and direct way to help reduce toxins, they have put together their own Greenhouse Gas Environmental Policy Statement.

The policy focuses on 4 core principles:

1.     Invest in fuel-efficient jet aircrafts.

2.     Invest in technology and procedures that enable Westjet to maximize operating efficiency and safety.

3.     Invest in infrastructure to reduce the environmental footprint of their ground operations.

4.     Work in good faith with government agencies and regulators to develop rules and policies that further drive their operating efficiency and their ability to grow sustainability.

 (http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/environment/index.shtml) 

Westjet has spent over $2 billion on their fleet and currently have the most fuel-efficient Boeing 737 series fleets.  The fuel efficiency on the current 737 (600, 700 and 800 series) is about 15-30% lower per seat than the 737 (200 series) they had earlier in 2000-2003.  That shows a great investment to help minimize their emissions.

Winglets (wing-tip extensions) have also been installed to help lower fuel consumption up to 2.7% per flight.  The new series of aircrafts are already equipped with winglets.

Not only is Westjet greener in the skies but also on the ground.  The Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and Westjet built the Calgary campus.  Something things that new campus highlights are:

·       Gathering recycled carpets, flooring of renewable materials, countertops from recycled glass, doors made from sustainable wood

·       Shower/change rooms and bicycle storages to help promote a healthy and alternate commute than vehicles

·       Reduces water consumption by capturing rainwater to use for landscaping

·       Light-Pollution reduction measures

·       External geothermal piping to access and store heating/cooling energy from the earth

·       Heating, ventilation and AC system that uses up to date technologies to confirm energy efficiency.

·       Every Westjetters works in an open workstation with access to natural light on all floors.  (Right to Light Philosophy)

·       Measuring and verifying performance

·       Construction materials are sourced and selected on higher recycled content

 (http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/environment/index.shtml) 

Not only does Westjet care about their guests, but also of the earth.

Do you wish your company was more environmentally friendly like how Westjet is?