JetBlue’s Sophia Mendelsohn Honored For Individual Leadership At Sixth Annual Climate Leadership Awards

NEW YORK, March 7, 2017 /3BL Media/ – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and The Climate Registry (TCR), recently recognized organizations, partnerships, and individuals for outstanding work in addressing climate change at the sixth annual Climate Leadership Awards (CLA) held in Chicago.

Sophia Mendelsohn, JetBlue’s director of sustainability, was awarded the Individual Leadership Award for guiding the airline’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Ms. Mendelsohn leads JetBlue’s sustainability strategy, shaping policies and practices that reduce the airline’s environmental impact. 

“Congratulations to Sophia Mendelsohn on receiving this prestigious award. Thanks to her efforts, JetBlue is helping to innovate our industry and lessen our carbon footprint,” said James Hnat, general counsel for JetBlue. “Reducing emissions is crucial for the future of aviation. This award confirms the proactive measures we’re taking to address customer demand and reduce the impact our industry contributes to climate change.”

In 2016, Mendelsohn helped negotiate and execute a 10-year renewable jet fuel agreement, offering multiple business and environmental advantages for JetBlue. This marked one of the largest renewable jet fuel purchase agreements in aviation history, and the largest, long-term commitment by any airline globally for HEFA (hydro-processed esters and fatty acids) based renewable jet fuel.  Mendelsohn has identified several opportunities for emissions reductions within the airline’s fleet and operations, including transitioning JetBlue from conventional diesel and gasoline ground support equipment (vehicles that operate within airports such as carrying luggage to planes) to electric. She has also focused on material reduction, setting up recycling programs in more than 60 U.S. cities resulting in the recycling of nearly 60 million bottles to date. She also led a fabric-repurposing program that turned 37,000 pounds of used JetBlue uniforms into bags for resale, saving fabric from landfills.

Climate Leadership awardees were honored for exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change. Winners represented a wide array of industries from manufacturing and technology to federal and local government, finance, retail, and aviation. Recipients have demonstrated leadership in managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in internal operations and throughout the supply chain, as well as integrating climate resilience into their operating strategies. 

The annual awards take place during the Climate Leadership Conference (CLC), which is dedicated to professionals addressing global climate change through policy, innovation, and business solutions. The conference gathers forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia, and the non-profit community, to explore energy and climate related solutions, introduce new opportunities, and provide support to leaders taking action on climate change. The Climate Leadership Conference is hosted by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry, with U.S. EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership as the event's headline sponsor.

For more information about the 2017 Climate Leadership Award winners visit http://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/2017-climate-leadership-award-winners

JetBlue’s Sustainability Focus - JetBlue believes in communicating transparently about climate change. The airline is committed to taking steps to address the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from its flights and JetBlue empowers and inspires its customers and crewmembers to offset GHG emissions when they fly. The airline is constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace efficient technologies. For example, JetBlue planes feature Airbus' Sharklets, which improve aerodynamics and cut fuel burn and emissions. For more on JetBlue’s work to reduce emissions, visit jetblue.com/green. 

About JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 38 million customers a year to 100 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 925 daily flights. For more information please visit jetblue.com.

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