Taking The Carbon Sting Out Of Business Travel
NetJets Europe
announced Thursday a comprehensive new program to address climate
change. The NetJets Europe Climate Initiative will ensure that the
carbon emissions from all the company's activities will be fully
neutralized by 2012.
"Our program is unique, comprehensive and far-reaching" says
Mark Booth, Chairman and CEO. "We believe it positions NetJets
Europe as an industry and commercial leader in addressing climate
change. We are tackling issues in a meaningful way today, but our
ultimate objective is to help find a solution to aircraft emissions
long term."
The company is investing in technological innovation that, if
successful, can bring about dramatic change to aviations
environmental impact. NetJets is supporting research at Princeton
University in the development of an ultra-low emission jet fuel for
today's jet engines.
According to Booth, "we want to see if we can fix the problem,
not just mitigate it".
The company spent significant time securing an offset provider
and emission reduction projects that they are confident will
genuinely benefit the environment. After reviewing 29 different
providers, NetJets Europe is working with EcoSecurities which is
based in Oxford, England. The company is investing in Verified
Emissions Reductions (pre-registration offsets) from Kyoto-level
CDM registered projects to offset the carbon emissions of both the
company and its clients.
Particular care has been taken to ensure that the offset
projects undertaken are genuinely additional under the definition
introduced in Article 12.5 of the Kyoto Protocol. Only projects
which achieve CO2 reductions that would not have happened without
carbon financing are certified under the Kyoto Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM).
At the heart of the emissions neutralizing initiative is a
decision to include carbon offsetting in NetJets pricing as of
October 1, 2007. All new clients and all existing customers who
renew their contracts will purchase carbon credits that neutralise
all the carbon emissions associated with their aircraft usage.
Existing customers will also be encouraged to sign-up to the
program and offset their flying immediately.
"Our clients have been asking for a thoughtful program" said Mr
Booth "and we expect significant take up over the next few months".
NetJets Europe will provide the offsetting service as a benefit to
its owners at cost. The offset program is the centrepiece of a
comprehensive strategy to take an industry-leading position in
addressing climate change.
Other elements of the initiative include funding of Princeton's
Next Generation Jet-Fuel Project, and reducing emissions throughout
its fleet -- including a push to adopt more fuel-efficient planes,
such as the Hawker 4000 and Dassault Falcon 7X.