British Airways (BA), one of the world's largest international airlines, recently won two prestigious global awards in recognition of its responsible business ethics.

The airline received the Business Travel Award 2013 for Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme and has been recognised for its leadership role in addressing its impact on deforestation by the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project.

Jonathon Counsell, head of environment for British Airways, said: “It is a fantastic accolade to have won Best Corporate Responsibility Programme. Our One Destination Programme is going from strength to strength.

“In 2012 we debuted our Carbon Fund which uses donations from our customers to fund renewable energy projects in communities in the UK. Our Flying Start partnership with Comic Relief has raised more than GBP4 million ($6.06 million) to help children living in poverty at home and abroad, and our work with the Solena Group to develop sustainable aviation fuel from waste is gathering pace.”

Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD), a special project of the Global Canopy Programme, encourages the world’s largest companies to disclose their impact on forests based on their use of five commodities: soy, palm oil, timber and pulp, cattle products, and first generation biofuels.

Companies are categorised into twelve sectors and leaders are identified.

British Airways has been recognised for its leadership role in addressing its forest footprint in the Travel and Leisure sector. The airline sources its in-flight catering products and materials with a clear view of the provenance of the items and selection is based on minimising any damage to the environment.

“Our environmental responsibility programmes are at the heart of the British Airways brand. We have led the industry in setting ambitious and challenging targets for carbon efficiency, carbon emission reductions, noise reduction, recycling, and fundraising for our Flying Start charity programme,” said Mervat Alfy, British Airways commercial manager in Egypt. – TradeArabia News Service