Caribbean Airlines helps clean up regional coastlines

Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), in collaboration with the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD), undertook a simultaneous coastal clean-up across multiple Caribbean destinations on October 14.

Over 220 dedicated Caribbean Airlines employees and their families volunteered their time and effort to clear marine debris from shores at locations in Trinidad, Guyana, and Barbados, a media release said.

Dionne Ligoure, head of corporate communications at CAL highlighted the significance of this coastal clean-up.

“As part of our sustainability programme, Caribbean Airlines employees undertook this activity. Our environment is an integral part of the Caribbean identity, and as a region, it is imperative that we unite in the face of climate change challenges. In recent years, the increasingly destructive hurricanes and unusual weather patterns, have underscored the urgency of safeguarding our seas and lands against consumerism and pollution. Caribbean Airlines understands this responsibility and is proud to be the first airline to partake in a simultaneous regional coastal clean-up," she said in the release.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to CNIRD for their invaluable support and to our dedicated volunteers, including Caribbean Airlines employees and their families, who were integral to this milestone.”

Commenting on the initiative, Nalini Lalla, general counsel, corporate secretary and chair of the airline’s sustainability committee said: “As we join this global shift in recognising the value of our environment, we at Caribbean Airlines have begun to raise awareness among our staff and their families through important activities such as this Coastal Clean-Up and small steps each of us can take to reduce our impact on the environment.”

The release said the joint effort across the three countries yielded close to 3,000 pounds of waste collected. The data was recorded by CNIRD and will be integrated into each country's official statistics. These statistics will be subsequently added to an international database, which serves as a crucial resource for developing effective strategies to combat pollution and protect precious ecosystems.