The partnership will see SAA sourcing FSC certified products where relevant. FSC certified paper board will be used to package the food provided to passengers on SAA flights, and other forest products utilised by SAA will also be certified. SAA passengers can be assured that in future, more of the packaging and other forest products such as tissues and paper used on board SAA flights will originate from sustainably managed forests and that by choosing SAA, passengers play an active role in preventing deforestation.
“At SAA, we have said that we want to be the most environmentally sustainable airline in the world. The partnership with FSC is a logical final step,” SAA Group Environmental Affairs Specialist Ian Cruickshank says.
As the world’s leading forest certification organisation, the FSC label guarantees that harvested trees are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally, and that key biodiversity-rich sites are not destroyed when forest products are sourced. Established in 1993, the organisation represents a market-based solution to address concerns around global deforestation. To become FSC certified, operations have to meet a rigorous set of standards and criteria that promote responsible forest management across the full supply chain, from forest to consumer.
SAA also has a strong partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, an FSC founding member.
“The FSC bond completes our association with responsible organizations,” Cruickshank added.
Chris Burchmore, FSC Africa Regional Director, applauds the airline’s decision. “We will support SAA in meeting their environmental commitments. As the national carrier, SAA represents an ideal vehicle to raise awareness regarding the importance of forests and the vast array of FSC certified products.”
For more information, please contact:
Carla van Rooyen
Communication Manager Africa. Forest Stewardship Council.
c.rooyen@fsc.org