Australian airlines taking shape
Australian airlines are launching an emission offset scheme to allow all its clients to pay to offset their carbon footprints, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Travelers will be told the cost of offsetting their flight at time of booking and be given the chance to pay for it. It is the first country in which all airlines provide the option. Offset for an average long-hauled flight such as Sydney to London would cost around $30.
Though a voluntary offset scheme has been criticised, as in the case of Virgin Blue airlines which offers the same, it is surely a positive start.
“Today, to open the project, Qantas will pay $500,000 for tree planting and alternative energy funding, offsetting its emissions for 24 hours. It will then open the offset to travellers, who will be told the cost of their offset when booking a ticket.
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The Qantas initiative was supported by the Minister for the Environment, Malcolm Turnbull, who called it a powerful weapon for an industry unable to function without burning fossil fuels. He would not, however, commit to using the offset for all government travel.
The carbon scheme will act as a tax break for the Qantas group, which will treat it as a business expense. Qantas’s chief risk officer, Rod Kella, said individuals could also benefit from tax breaks but were advised to seek their own advice. “It depends on the individual business,” he said.
While the Jetstar project will allow travellers to pay carbon offsets when they book their ticket, the Qantas scheme will require two separate credit card payments to offset carbon. Travellers will also have to navigate to a separate webpage to use the service.”