Final answer:
Delta Air Lines earned an award from the EPA in 2008 by actively participating in voluntary programs aimed at pollution reduction and sustainability, such as the 33/50 Program and the SmartWay Transport Partnership, aligning with EPA's conservation goals and demonstrating significant environmental and economic achievements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Delta Air Lines was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2008 for its exceptional participation and achievement in the EPA's voluntary programs which aim to reduce pollution and promote sustainability. Notably, Delta's efforts align with the goals of programs like the 33/50 Program, WaterSense, and SmartWay Transport Partnership. Such programs encourage businesses to engage in proactive environmental practices, effectively minimizing their ecological footprint while also reaping economic benefits.
Under these initiatives, businesses pledge to cut down on the use of hazardous materials and focus on efficiency improvements. For instance, the 33/50 Program elicited a commitment from participating companies to substantially reduce their emissions of priority chemicals. Additionally, through the P2 Grants Program, entities like Delta could benefit from financial support to implement strategies that prevent pollution at its source, potentially leading to substantial fiscal savings alongside environmental enhancements. Evidently, Delta's environmentally friendly operational changes were in line with EPA directives and thus merited the award.