BA offsetting
British Airways has relaunched its carbon-offsetting scheme, making it easier for customers to offset at the point of flight purchase. Previously, passengers had to visit a separate part of ba.com, but now will be given the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from their flight as soon as they have chosen their itinerary, with the amount being added to the final bill.
Approximate offset values equate to £1.60 for a return flight London-Paris, £5 London-Lisbon, and £17 London-New York. Donations will go towards three UN-recognised projects, including: a wind farm in Ningxia, China; a river power plant in Faxinal dos Guedes, Brazil; and a hydroelectric plant in Xiaohe, China. For more information visit ba.com/cr.
Virgin biofuel
Virgin has announced it will fly a biofuel-powered Boeing 747 from Heathrow to Amsterdam next month, as part of trials in partnership with engine-maker GE Aviation. The flight, which will not have any passengers onboard, will use a “truly sustainable type of biofuel that doesn’t compete with food and fresh-water resources”.
Virgin’s president, Sir Richard Branson, said: “This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge which we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.”
Virgin recently announced a scheme allowing passengers to offset their carbon emissions in-flight (see online news November 8, 2007). For more information visit virgin-atlantic.com.
Fairmont joins forces with WWF
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has announced a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to combat climate change.
The hotel group will work with WWF to measure Fairmont’s current CO2 emissions, before setting “world-class” reduction targets by June 2008. Fairmont will become a member of WWF’s Climate Savers scheme, and will work with the organisation to raise awareness about the need for reductions in CO2 emissions.
Mike Russill, president and CEO of WWF Canada, said: “WWF will work alongside Fairmont to set an ambitious emission-reduction target, develop specific plans to lower its CO2 footprint, and challenge others in the sector to follow suit.” For more information visit fairmont.com.
By Mark Caswell
