Examples of Airline Biodiversity Net Positive Commitments

Biodiversity loss poses a fundamental risk to the aviation sector, affecting ecosystem services that communities rely on and the broader climate-ecosystem interface that underpins travel, tourism, and commerce. As airlines seek to align with global sustainability agendas, many are adopting biodiversity net positive commitments—pledges to leave ecosystems in a better state than they would have been absent their operations. These commitments span policy, practice, procurement, partnerships, and disclosure, reflecting a growing recognition that aviation’s footprint extends beyond carbon to the living systems that sustain life and livelihoods around airports and flight corridors. This article provides a comprehensive overview of concrete biodiversity net positive commitments demonstrated by airlines, highlighting the strategies, implementation mechanisms, and measurable outcomes that illustrate progress toward restoring and conserving biodiversity.

Table of Contents

Policy commitments and governance

Biodiversity-positive operations and supply chains

Restoration and rewilding initiatives

Conservation partnerships and community engagement

Biodiversity data, metrics, and disclosure

Policy influence and industry collaboration

Risks, challenges, and adaptive learning

Lessons from leading examples

Policy commitments and governance
Airlines are increasingly embedding biodiversity objectives within their corporate governance and strategy. Many have adopted formal policy statements that articulate biodiversity as a material sustainability issue and establish targets aligned with international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and science-based targets that address ecosystem integrity. Key features observed across leading carriers include: board-level oversight of biodiversity through dedicated committees or inclusion in broader environmental committees; explicit biodiversity targets with timelines; integration of biodiversity considerations into risk management, land-use planning for airport expansions, and community engagement policies; and the establishment of dedicated biodiversity teams or roles within sustainability functions. In some cases, airlines publish formal biodiversity strategies that accompany carbon and broader environmental roadmaps, signaling a holistic approach to environmental stewardship rather than treating biodiversity as a standalone or marginal concern.

Beyond internal governance, several airlines participate in multi-stakeholder platforms that shape biodiversity policy and practice at an industry scale. These platforms often involve collaboration with airports, conservation NGOs, indigenous and local communities, governments, and research institutions. Membership or leadership roles in such coalitions enable airlines to align procurement standards, share best practices, and contribute to the development of sector-wide guidance for biodiversity due diligence, environmental impact assessments, and restoration finance. By integrating biodiversity targets into long-range corporate planning and external governance mechanisms, airlines demonstrate commitment to measurable, auditable outcomes that can be tracked alongside emissions reductions.

Biodiversity-positive operations and supply chains
Operational footprints extend from aircraft manufacturing through airport operations, supply chains, in-flight services, and end-of-life management. Biodiversity-positive operations seek to minimize direct impacts while generating positive ecological outcomes wherever feasible. Notable approaches include: siting and planning airport expansions with biodiversity values in mind, mitigating habitat fragmentation, and protecting water quality in sensitive ecosystems adjacent to flight corridors and airports. Practical measures observed in leading programs include habitat conservation zones around critical bird habitats to reduce wildlife strike risk while preserving ecological integrity; restoration of native vegetation in disturbed airport landscapes to support pollinators and local fauna; and the avoidance of irreversible habitat loss through careful route selection, new airport development, and offset programs that prioritize high-biodiversity value areas.

In supply chains, airlines are redefining procurement standards to favor biodiversity-friendly products and services. This includes sourcing from vendors that demonstrate credible biodiversity performance and chain-of-custody for wildlife-friendly materials. Airlines may require suppliers to disclose biodiversity impact data, conduct lifecycle assessments that incorporate habitat considerations, and adopt sustainable packaging that minimizes habitat disruption. In-cabin offerings increasingly reflect biodiversity considerations, from supporting regional biodiversity through partnerships with local producers to avoiding products linked to habitat destruction. Waste streams, water use, and energy intensity also intersect with biodiversity outcomes; therefore, airlines implement circular economy practices, waste diversion targets, and sustainable water management in facilities to reduce indirect ecological pressure.

A growing area within operations is the careful management of airport and route-related habitats. Airports often sit within or adjacent to ecologically important landscapes, such as wetlands, mangroves, and forested corridors. Biodiversity-positive operators implement habitat preservation measures, create green corridors, and design landscaping that supports pollinators and birds in ways that reduce collision risks. Route planning considerations may include avoiding sensitive biodiversity hotspots during critical life stages for local species or migrating periods, in collaboration with aviation authorities and environmental agencies. Some airlines also invest in acoustic optimization and noise management around ecologically sensitive sites to minimize disturbance to wildlife and communities.

Restoration and rewilding initiatives
Restoration projects represent a concrete pathway to net positive biodiversity outcomes. Airlines support or directly fund habitat restoration, ecological restoration of degraded landscapes, and rewilding initiatives that restore ecosystem structure and function. These projects may focus on wetlands restoration to improve water filtration and flood control, mangrove rehabilitation to sequester carbon and protect coastlines, or forest restoration to maintain biodiversity and regulate climate. Notable programs include compensatory and compensatory-plus approaches where restoration sites are identified in collaboration with local communities, conservation NGOs, and government agencies. In some cases, restoration projects align with landscape-scale conservation plans that benefit multiple sectors—tourism, fisheries, and agriculture—thereby creating co-benefits for biodiversity and local livelihoods.

Rewilding efforts often emphasize native species reintroduction, the restoration of ecological processes, and the creation of resilient habitats that can adapt to climate variability. Airlines may partner with land managers and NGOs to implement restoration actions on land parcels adjacent to airports or within supply chain landscapes that influence biodiversity health. In practice, restoration projects are accompanied by monitoring regimes that track ecological indicators such as species richness, habitat quality, water quality, carbon sequestration, and resilience to climate stressors. Through transparent reporting, airlines demonstrate the ecological gains achieved, the communities benefiting from restoration activities, and the ways in which these projects contribute to broader biodiversity targets.

Conservation partnerships and community engagement
Effective biodiversity net positive commitments are grounded in partnerships with local communities, Indigenous peoples, and conservation organizations. Collaborative models enable knowledge exchange, leverage local ecological expertise, and ensure that biodiversity actions reflect cultural values and rights. Airlines engage in co-managed conservation programs that prioritize community stewardship of critical habitats near airports, flight corridors, and supply chain landscapes. These partnerships often include formal agreements detailing benefit-sharing, governance structures, and mechanisms for monitoring and accountability.

Community engagement also entails capacity building, education, and awareness campaigns that promote biodiversity-friendly practices among employees, suppliers, and customers. By involving communities in decision-making processes, airlines can better identify restoration priorities, align with local conservation priorities, and ensure that biodiversity initiatives deliver tangible social and economic benefits. The outcomes of such partnerships are typically evaluated through indicators like community compensation and consent processes, improvements in habitat condition adjacent to operational sites, and enhancements in local biodiversity indicators captured through community-led monitoring or third-party assessments.

Conservation philanthropy and in-kind support are other channels through which airlines influence biodiversity outcomes. This support can take the form of grants to conservation organizations, sponsorship of biodiversity research, and investments in community-led sustainable livelihoods that reduce pressure on ecosystems. The cumulative effect of these partnerships is a more inclusive approach to conservation that respects Indigenous rights, supports local economies, and strengthens biodiversity resilience around aviation operations.

Biodiversity data, metrics, and disclosure
Measuring progress toward biodiversity net positive commitments requires robust data, transparent reporting, and credible verification. Airlines deploy a mix of biodiversity indicators, monitoring frameworks, and disclosure practices that illuminate ecological outcomes beyond conventional environmental metrics. Common elements include: habitat area and integrity metrics (e.g., remaining native vegetation, habitat connectivity, fragmentation indices); species indicators (e.g., presence/absence of indicator species, pollinator populations, rare or endangered species status); ecosystem service indicators (e.g., water purification, flood mitigation potential); and qualitative assessments of ecological health, community well-being, and cultural values.

Data collection often combines remote sensing, field surveys, citizen science collaborations, and third-party audits. Digital tools, dashboards, and standardized reporting formats enable comparability across airlines and timeframes. Crucially, credible reporting includes clear baselines, explicit targets, and transparent methodologies that allow independent verification of biodiversity outcomes. Disclosure practices range from sustainability reports and dedicated biodiversity sections to alignments with global reporting initiatives and participation in biodiversity indices or ranking frameworks. Some airlines publish annual biodiversity impact statements or integrated reports that explicitly quantify hectares restored, species recovered, or habitat enhancements attributable to their actions.

Policy influence and industry collaboration
Airlines influence policy trajectories related to biodiversity through advocacy and participation in multi-stakeholder policy dialogues. This includes engaging with national and regional biodiversity plans, aviation-specific environmental standards, and international agreements that shape land use, habitat protection, and environmental impact assessment processes. Industry collaboration helps harmonize biodiversity due diligence requirements across the value chain, from supplier environmental performance to airport authority practices. By contributing to shared guidelines, checklists, and best-practice exemplars, airlines help create a consistent baseline for biodiversity considerations within the aviation sector.

Industry-wide initiatives can also accelerate the diffusion of biodiversity net positive practices. For instance, collective commitments to biodiversity, joint verification schemes, and pooled funding mechanisms for restoration projects enable airlines to leverage shared resources and expertise. Collaboration with airports is particularly important, given that airport operators manage surrounding landscapes that often host important biodiversity. Joint programs for habitat protection, pollinator corridors, and wildlife management demonstrate the sector’s capacity to align business objectives with ecological conservation.

Risks, challenges, and adaptive learning
Biodiversity net positive commitments face several challenges that require adaptive management. Data gaps, limited baselines, and varying regional ecological contexts complicate measurement and verification. Additionally, balancing biodiversity outcomes with operational feasibility, safety considerations, and financial constraints demands careful prioritization and innovative solutions. Land-use conflicts, community rights, and governance complexities can impede restoration efforts if not managed through inclusive decision-making and transparent accountability mechanisms.

Climate change adds another layer of complexity, altering species distributions, phenology, and habitat suitability. Adaptive learning involves updating targets, refining restoration approaches, and adjusting partnerships in response to new scientific insights and on-the-ground results. Independent third-party verification and assurance enhance credibility, ensuring that biodiversity claims are robust and credible. Finally, effective communication of biodiversity net positive progress to customers and stakeholders requires clear storytelling that connects ecological outcomes to passenger experience and local community benefits.

Lessons from leading examples
Across the airline sector, several carriers stand out for their ambitious and transparent biodiversity net positive commitments. The most instructive examples share a core pattern: they embed biodiversity into strategy, secure credible metrics, cultivate diverse partnerships, and demonstrate tangible ecological benefits through verifiable outcomes. Key lessons include the value of aligning biodiversity actions with local context and priority species, the importance of co-designing restoration activities with communities, and the effectiveness of integrating biodiversity considerations into procurement, asset management, and route planning. Another recurring theme is the significance of transparent reporting that communicates both successes and the challenges faced, thereby enabling knowledge transfer and continuous improvement across the industry.

Conclusion
Airlines pursuing biodiversity net positive commitments are navigating a complex but increasingly essential landscape. By integrating biodiversity into governance, operations, restoration, partnerships, data practices, and policy engagement, carriers are moving beyond mere compliance toward tangible ecological enhancement. The most effective programs are those that combine credible measurement, meaningful community engagement, and scalable restoration actions rooted in local ecosystems. As the aviation sector continues to evolve, biodiversity net positive commitments will play a central role in building resilient ecosystems, sustaining travel economies, and meeting the expectations of a growing chorus of stakeholders who view biodiversity stewardship as integral to responsible and enduring aviation.