Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a major challenge for Air France-KLM
More than ever, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a major priority for Air France-KLM which places sustainability at the heart of its strategy and all of its projects. It is within this framework that the Group is committed to ever-more-responsible procurement at all levels of our supply chain, with the implementation of a dedicated policy and procedures.
The Group’s procurement which, in a normal context, can represent up to €10 billion annually, concerns a wide range of products including the purchasing of fuel, aircraft maintenance and services from airport service providers.
For several years, our policy has aimed to embed corporate social responsibility principles within our relations with suppliers, by reinforcing the management of ethical, social, environmental and supply chain risks (logistics chain).
The buyers send questionnaires to suppliers, addressing different themes like safety, environmental management and HR policy, etc.
Suppliers are invited to sign the Procurement Sustainable Development Charter, which is based on the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, or submit their own equivalent document which may then be approved after analysis. Since 2015, this Charter has been supplemented by a Supplier Code of Conduct. In 2021, 61% of suppliers signed the Sustainable Development Charter, i.e. nearly 8% more than in the previous year, a figure that should reach 80% in 2023.
To complete the process, Air France-KLM uses the services of EcoVadis to evaluate the CSR performances of suppliers. Suppliers having failed to reach the required level must immediately implement a remedial action plan. In 2021, 384 suppliers were evaluated and our goal is to evaluate an additional 90 in 2022.
On taking up their duties, our buyers must sign our Code of Ethics outlining the ethical rules to be respected when dealing with suppliers. A reminder of the Code of Ethics is also sent to our prescribers in the light of the anti-corruption legislation.
We have put in place an internal process to develop the skills of our buyers, composed of training, seminars and online access, enabling them to deepen their knowledge of good environmental practices. As with existing employees, all new recruits receive training on the division’s CSR commitments, from the duty of vigilance to the anti-corruption processes and the evaluation tool (EcoVadis).
The Supplier Relations Management System (SRM) is aimed at building long-term partnerships with our strategic suppliers. This program enables issues like Corporate Social Responsibility to be central to discussions and to move forward together on these issues.
The Procurement function sees its suppliers as bona fide partners in mutually-beneficial growth. In this capacity, it supports their research into innovative solutions and the analysis of the environmental impact of products
During the drafting of a product specification, the prescriber and buyer work together to identify the environmental and societal characteristics, thereby encouraging the supplier to not only develop the environmental performance of its products but also make a wider commitment to sustainability. The Air France-KLM Group notably cooperates with industry associations and companies on multiple products which represented around €8 million of procurement in 2021.
One of our priorities is to develop an ever-more-eco-responsible onboard product. Air France-KLM is thus working on the development of a responsible catering offer, in terms of both the food services and tableware used.
For catering procurement, in partnership with its different caterers and insofar as this is possible, Air France prioritizes local, seasonal and responsible products. The airline continues to increase its procurement of products with protected designation of origin labels (AOC/AOP) and those from organic agriculture as well as sea food sourced from sustainable fisheries. To guarantee passengers a balanced meal, since May 2021 all the hot dishes served in Economy class have had an A or B Nutriscore.
Whenever feasible, KLM chooses responsible products and partners who share its values. This catering offer is mainly focused on environmental preservation in production areas and takes human rights, working conditions and animal welfare into account. It applies to all flights on departure from Schiphol airport and in Europe, and where possible responsible products are included in the in-flight catering on flights on departure from other countries. With this in mind, KLM is a member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) and Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and proposes certified products on board its aircraft like MSC-certified fish, “better life” eggs and poultry, and UTZ-certified coffee.
