BA launches “one click” offsetting scheme
British Airways has unveiled a new green initiative, backed by environment secretary Hilary Benn, designed to reduce the impact of aviation on climate change.
The scheme allows customers to offset carbon emissions on flights and protects rainforest in Brazil. The airline is also backing research into the effects of aircraft’s non-carbon emissions.
The initiative uses United Nations-certified emission reductions targets to help finance clean energy projects in developing countries. Customers offsetting their flight emissions will support a windfarm in China, as well as hydro-electric plants in China and Brazil.
The scheme allows customers able to buy their offset in one transaction when they book their flight on ba.com.
British Airways will also back work led by Cambridge University aimed at establishing robust scientific understanding of the non-CO2 effects of aviation by 2012.
Silla Maizey, head of corporate responsibility, says the initiatives shows the airline’s commitment to tackling climate change.
She adds: “We were the first airline to offer carbon offsets, and we intend to remain at the forefront in this area.
“Customers will find our new scheme a simple one-click process on ba.com.”
Environment secretary Hilary Benn has lent his support to the initiative. He says: “I hope this welcome scheme will encourage BA customers to offset their flights and so help to tackle emissions from aviation.”
