We have introduced an environmental management system in accordance with the EMAS regulation to regularly check and review compliance with our environmental objectives and the effectiveness of our measures. In particular, reducing CO2 emissions and moving away from fossil fuels are key issues for the future of DFS.
This makes us a pioneer among comparable air navigation service providers in Europe. By having an environmental management system in accordance with the stringent EMAS regulation (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), our company is committed to acting in an environmentally and climate-friendly manner over the long term. Fewer CO2 emissions, lower consumption of resources, less waste, less energy, more biodiversity – these are some of the fields of action of corporate environmental and climate protection at DFS. Indirect aspects, such as the emissions from business trips, the vehicle fleet or the staff's commute, are also considered. By the same token, the scope for action of DFS with regard to CO2 and non-CO2 emissions of aviation plays a significant role.
From 2024 onwards, DFS will rely on green power at all locations except the Headquarters in Langen, Germany. More precisely, it will be using a so-called power purchase agreement, or PPA. Under a PPA, we will agree to a binding, long-term electricity purchase with a green power producer, amounting to about 42 GWh per year. This is how much electricity is consumed by about 11,000 four-person-person households. In this way, for example, wind turbines that will no longer receive government subsidies in the next few years can still sell their electricity economically. In addition, the long-term purchase commitment supports the construction of new turbines. In this way, we are already reducing our carbon footprint by 50 per cent. We are also making ourselves independent of fossil fuels by replacing gas heating systems with heat pumps and district heating at the control centres and towers. To cover our own electricity needs, we are also investing in photovoltaic systems. Our vehicle fleet is also being electrified and we are developing our own e-charging infrastructure at suitable locations.
The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) was developed by the European Union and is a stringent environmental certification. The structure of the environmental management system under EMAS corresponds to the environmental management standard ISO 14001. EMAS goes beyond a pure management system, however, and is performance-oriented: The company should improve beyond the requirements of environmental legislation and, above all, include their employees. By the same token, the company must publish an annual environmental statement containing environmentally relevant metrics, targets and measures.
https://www.emas.de/
Certification according to ISO 14001 (only available in German)
Certification according to EMAS (only available in German)
