Charter broker Air Partner is taking steps to embed sustainable practices into the core of its business, including auto-enrolment for all its private jet and group charter clients into a carbon offsetting scheme. Through an ongoing partnership with Climate Care, carbon emissions from flights are calculated and offset by adding a cost directly to the price of the flight.

The group's recently appointed environmental, social and governance (ESG) manager, Greg Charman, will ensure focussed engagement with a new sustainability strategy designed to improve internal operations, from staff development to carbon reduction programmes. At the same time, Air Partner will be encouraging stakeholders to act responsibly through meaningful partnerships with youth action organisation Raleigh International and Climate Care to secure a more sustainable environment for future generations.

This is a significant step-change, the company says, as it has previously operated carbon offsetting on an opt-in basis. Clients can choose to opt out of the scheme should they wish, but it's hoped that this change will help reduce the impact that charter flights have on the environment.

CEO Mark Briffa says: “We are committed to acting responsibly with our people, our clients and our partners to deliver positive change through our evolving sustainability strategy as a natural part of our overall business strategy. As a global aviation services group with a wide network, we can make a difference, through local initiatives or larger scale international projects, to create a better world for the future.”

Air Partner is committed to the development of its people, equipping them to become responsible leaders. Its partnership with Raleigh International actively engages with the youth organisation's commitment to addressing climate change by appointing project leaders on Raleigh International's conservation initiatives that involve rewilding and nature conservation, while raising funds to support sustainability goals. Project leaders also receive training on environmental campaigning skills and oversee the development and health and safety of a group of young volunteers aged 18-24.

It also works with the Charlie Waller Trust to provide the education and skills to build positive mental health throughout the group and promote a positive work culture.

Another step towards carbon reduction is the beginning of Air Partner's tree planting activities. In December, Air Partner staff will be completing their first annual tree planting activity, planting hundreds of trees in East Sussex to help increase the carbon capture potential for the future.

Air Partner is actively reducing its internal resource consumption and the amount of carbon emissions its offices produce. Actions include working towards all offices going paperless by the end of 2022, encouraging training courses to be online whenever possible, increasing the use of renewable energy in its offices and partnering primarily with catering companies that have a robust sustainability policy in place.

The Air Partner Group has a number of future ESG plans to roll out, including further development of its safety and security virtual training offer, undertaking a review of the use of sustainable aviation fuel and developing a sustainable procurement policy.