Airline News
THAI launches Carbon Offset Programme
- Thai Airways International (THAI) recently became the first Asia Pacific airline to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has introduced its Carbon Offset Programme. The programme will offer the airline’s passengers the option of offsetting emissions resulting from their air travel when booking flights on the THAI website.
“Climate change is arguably one of the biggest threats we face, and as an airline, it’s imperative that we take responsibility for the role we play in global warming and implement initiatives to curb carbon emissions. Unlike many other offset programmes, THAI will not charge an administration fee or mark-up on the offset price paid by passengers. We believe that passengers are making a conscious decision to reduce their carbon footprint, and as such THAI should not profit in any way from such contributions,” explains Niruth Sripawatakul, general manager for Central, Eastern and Southern Africa for THAI.
The volume of emissions per flight is calculated by adopting the methodology developed by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). IATA has developed this concept further by creating a unique tool that allows each airline to apply its own verified data on fuel burn, passenger and cargo weights, seat configurations and load factors. This methodology allows for the most accurate calculations of CO2 emissions per passenger.
“The principle is that carbon emissions for each flight are divided amongst passengers, allowing travellers to offset their share of the flight’s emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects that generate carbon credits. A carbon credit refers to one tonne of CO2 that has either been removed from the atmosphere or saved from being emitted. Each credit is then cancelled on an official register to ensure that it cannot be sold or used again,” Sripawatakul explains.
As part of the IATA calculation method, emissions generated by cargo are subtracted and only those attributable to the passenger are available for offset by travellers. Due to different seating configurations per class, emissions associated with premium class travel are estimated as double that of economy class.
“We hope that THAI’s Carbon Offset Programme will set an example for the aviation industry as a whole and that we’ll soon see multiple similar initiatives being launched. After all, one person, or airline in this case, cannot save the planet. Collectively however, the potential results could have a significant impact on the preservation of our environment,” Sripawatakul concludes.
For more information on THAI Carbon Offset Programme and various green initiatives the airline is involved in, visit www.thaiair.com.
