39 Green Trendsetters

The idea of carbon offsetting has been a point of discussion for many years now. However, today the question is no longer whether you should calculate your and compensate them by funding environmental projects, but rather which provider you are going to entrust to help you do so. Robyn Boyle takes us through what some of the most pro- gressive business aviation companies are doing to reduce their carbon footprints.

Bombardier and ClimateCare ClimateCare is far from a start-up com- pany. It has been a leader in sustainable One of the world’s leading aircraft energy projects for the past ten years. manufacturers, Bombardier Aerospace This year, CNBC European Business announced its eco-conscious initia- Magazine named ClimateCare one of tives at NBAA 2007. Earlier this year, the Global Top 100 Low-Carbon Pio- Bombardier put their money where neers, the only specific voluntary carbon their mouth is by partnering with UK- market offset supplier on the list. A based leading provider, spokesperson for Bombardier outlined ClimateCare. why the company chose to partner with ClimateCare: “ClimateCare is a leader New aircraft buyers now have the option in the carbon offsetting industry, with a to pay an annual fee to offset their CO 2 solid experience in the aviation sector. emissions, based on aircraft type and They have helped develop the science average yearly utilisation. The funds are behind carbon offsetting even further by invested through ClimateCare in green developing a transparent methodology energy projects that reduce an equiva- to calculate carbon emissions.” lent amount of carbon. ClimateCare has over 50 emission reduction projects. ExecuJet and myclimate

According to ClimateCare the projects ExecuJet Aviation Group is the first they support involve energy efficiency private jet charter company to align and renewable energy, mostly in devel- with Swiss-based myclimate, a highly oping countries. In most cases, these regarded, non-profit organisation. my- projects not only reduce carbon dioxide climate supports projects that lead to a emissions, but also provide additional direct reduction of greenhouse gases. benefits to the local community. All The projects must also make a demon- projects adhere to one of the Interna- strably positive contribution to sustain- tional Standards for voluntary emission able development and be both ecologi- reduction projects. cally and socially compatible.

As seen in FLYCORPORATE FC MAGAZINE 40 MAGAZINE

ExecuJet’s customers can offset the CO2 emissions. Through its partnership with NetJets and EcoSecurities generated when they fly by purchas- CO2logic in Belgium, Flying Group be- NetJets Europe, the largest business ing myclimate tickets. The company’s came the first business aviation group jet operator in Europe, has launched decision to join myclimate was based in the Benelux and France to calculate a carefully constructed carbon offset on their international reputation for its carbon footprint and and imple- programme. The programme has two high project standards as a provider of ment a compensation plan. As a result, central objectives: to make NetJets voluntary carbon offsetting measures. all of Flying Group’s offices, premises 100% carbon neutral by 2012 and to Tufts University in the USA has rated and employee movements are now CO 2 provide aircraft owners the opportunity it as one of the top four providers of neutral. to offset emissions from their flights. carbon-offset programmes for air travel “This is very important to us, to our and British consultant ENDS named it Flying Group recently launched a customers, and to society. As a leader one of the best carbon-offset providers scheme that will actively encourage in our industry, we have an obligation worldwide. As a non-profit organisation, passengers to offset their contribution to also lead the way in environmen- myclimate diverts maximum income to to carbon dioxide emissions by includ- tal initiatives,” said Robert Dranitzke, carbon offsetting projects. ing emissions from flight operations in Director of Marketing, Communications the pricing. CO2logic will in turn use and Corporate Social Responsibility for “ExecuJet is committed to reducing and the funds to support bio-mass projects NetJets Europe. offsetting the impact of its operations in India. In addition to contributing to on the environment and sees it as an economic growth in the region, the use In Europe, NetJets surveyed 29 differ- inherent part of our corporate respon- of the renewable biomass to produce ent carbon offset companies and went sibility,” said Gerrit Basson, ExecuJet green power means there is less fossil through a painstaking selection process Group’s Managing Director. Scheduled fuel burnt and therefore less green- before deciding upon EcoSecurities, airlines such as Lufthansa, Swiss, and house gas emissions. a leader in the global carbon market. Virgin Atlantic have also chosen to part- EcoSecurities has supported more than ner with myclimate. CO2logic chooses its projects by verify- 374 projects which have been selected ing them against the Clean Develop- to provide authentic and verifiable emis- Flying Group and CO2logic ment Mechanism (CDM) provisions sion reductions. The company involves of the United Nations Kyoto Protocol. Earlier this year Flying Group an- external environmental experts during CO2logic believes this ensures the nounced its commitment to inform, the selection process. make aware and train passengers and offset schemes it supports are amongst the best available. employees about compensating for CO2

Carbon neutrality: A lofty goal?

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) warn that offsetting greenhouse gas emissions should not replace serious legislative steps to significantly reduce emissions. As regular citizens, all of us contribute to the rise in greenhouse gases just by going about our lives every day. Those of us concerned about can either stop driving, flying and using heating... or contribute to offset schemes.

How do you know which offset programmes support reliable, beneficial projects that lead to a genuine reduction in ghg emis- sions? Fortunately, the Kyoto Protocol CDM measures and validates the environmental impact of a given project. As an addition- al assurance, the Gold Standard has been established by 44 NGOs and recognises the best projects under the CDM. The Gold Standard is designed to keep the voluntary market in check.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is an arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialised countries to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. Before a CDM project is approved the parties to the agreement must establish that the planned reductions would not occur without the additional incentive provided by emission reductions credits, a concept known as “additionality”.

For more information, visit the CDM website at cdm.unfccc.int/index.htm www.