Without even the slightest of arguments, when we speak about pollution of the environment and especially the emission of greenhouse gases, it is an undeniable fact that airplanes are one of the major contributors. This is obvious because they are estimated to produce a lot of carbon while on every travel.
The sole reason why they’re still most preferred as a means of transportation, however, is due to their high efficiency and fast travel speed. Irrespective of the efficiency, nonetheless, airplanes that are very conversant with and keeps to strict carbon offset programmes are available and in fact, should be most preferred instead of taking to the ones that do not offer this revolutionary practice.
This is because we now have carbon calculators which calculates and make available the amount of carbon footprint that remains on every travel whilst also calculating the offset costs—customers are usually required to pay for this by most airlines. Below is an explanatory list of 6 airlines that offers carbon offset programme in no particular order of preference:
1.Emirates Airlines
Emirates Airlines prides herself in taking responsibilities. This is well exemplified as it’s clearly stated on the airline’s website that she does not believe in shifting responsibilities related with emission minimization to her customers but instead takes the bull by the horn themselves. Hence, the Emirates Airlines strongly believe that the body that emits the gases should bear the consequence.
The Emirates Airlines possess one of the world’s swiftest and ultramodern low emission airplanes. Their average year is 6 years compared to what we have in the globe which is up to the tune of 14 years. While trying to provide solutions to reduce their level of carbon footprint that their fleet of airplane has on the environment, they’ve spent lots of money up to billions of dollars to purchase low emission airplanes which are more efficient and functional.
In addition to this, their program is also well supported by other projects such as waste minimization and recycling; water efficiency projects and conservation based tourism development as evidenced in the Wolgan Valley Resort in Australia and also the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
2.British Airways
The British Airways understand perfectly well the fact that due to their business travel activity, they contribute negatively to the well-being of the environment. This is because they also emit carbon in their operations. Realizing this, they brought up initiatives with the bid to control and ameliorate the effect of the released gases.
They offer their customers to deliberately or voluntarily pay for the costs of carbon they emit per travel while the funds realized from this is spent on environment-friendly programmes. At British Airways, they believe they can reach an environment carbon neutrality by the year 2020 and have thus projected to reduce their total emissions by 50% come 2050.
The money accrued is diverted and spent on waste minimization with an increase in recycling, reusing and a reduction in wanton disposal which would make limited resources become more efficient.
In addition to this, the airline has also contributed to community investment programs and have worked with over 120 communities and several protection agencies across the world. They have a broad environmental education Curriculum in their programmes which is intended to assist children and people that are young at their various community training centers.
3.Air Canada
Just like every other airlines that have earlier been mentioned, Air Canada is also one of those that want to make sure that their airplanes play a vital role in carbon offsetting. They achieve this through the payment of costs that has been calculated by a readily available carbon calculator on every voyage.
With respect to this, the funds gathered from this is placed on environmental protection and conservation.
4.Gulf Air
With the provision of a voluntary framework for customers to willingly participate in carbon offsetting by paying a fee on every flight, the Gulf Air also prides itself as one of the contributors to the cause of carbon offsetting. Consequently, the money realized from this is then injected into investment programmes with the intention to offset the presence of carbon in the world and ensure the safety and protection of the environment.
5.United Airlines
As one of the world leaders who prides herself in the advancement of technology for development, the United Airlines is well conscious of the disastrous effect that comes with the emission of carbon into the environment. Hence, she is strongly willed to ensure the neutralization of carbon footprint created by her airplanes.
They achieve this by giving every customers flying through their line a chance to select and decide if they are willing to fund carbon offset or not.
Every single flight in their possession has a carbon calculator that tells the carbon footprint on every travel while also calculating the costs. Also, the United Airlines has implemented many changes on her airplanes which includes: a reduced fuel usage using technological improvements; an advanced environment friendly and cost efficient fuel etc.
All monies realized from this offsetting schedule is directed towards the conservation of the Californian forest, the development of grand renewable energy in Texas and also in a conservation community outreach in Peru.
6.Delta Airlines
As far back as 2012, the Delta Airlines had always invested in carbon offset. The reason for this is simple: to support and further drive forward the neutrality of carbon on local and international flights. With this mindset and motivation, they’ve always spent on an increased fuel efficiency, electric powered tugs, and most especially, their exploration of the carbon markets all in the bid to meet set targets of carbon neutrality.
They carry this out by simply offering their customers the opportunity to contribute to the offsetting of carbon emission and the money gotten from this voluntary donations are being used for their carbon neutrality projects as well as other environmental programmes.
They also have mutual agreement and workable relationships with various environmental conservation agencies to ensure the funds are used for the right purpose—the reduction of emission of greenhouse gases into the environment.