TAP launches carbon offset programme

TAP Portugal this week launched its Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emission Offset Program in partnership with the IATA (International Air Transport Association) marking World Environment Day and offering passengers the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions resulting from their flights giving their contributions to projects to reduce emissions in developing countries via enrolment in the program.

The TAP Emissions’ Offset Program is the first launched on a worldwide level with the IATA which has developed a global program applicable to the air transport industry and which offers projects of high credibility and transparency.

“TAP is a company that is company firmly committed to respecting the environment and one that undertakes its responsibility to Society, mobilizing all possible resources and energies with the aim of preserving the environment and protecting our planet", stated Fernando Pinto, company CEO. "Because of this we are enthusiastic about being the first airline company to put an IATA carbon offset program into operation which we are launching today, on World Environment Day."

This new CO2 offset program available from today via the TAP website: flytap.pt, enables customers to decide when booking online whether they voluntarily wish to offset the inevitable carbon emissions resulting from their flight, hence reducing their carbon footprint. To do so, all the information pertinent to the amount of CO2 issued per passenger on each flight is available on the website as well as the cost corresponding to offset this emission and also information on the project supported and in which the money resulting from each contribution will be invested.

TAP has selected a renewable energy project: The Aquarius Hydroelectric Project, located in Itiquira in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Aquarius consists of a mini-run-of-river HEP (no dam or flooding) connected to the local electricity grid and acts registado as a Clean Development Mechanism in accordance with Convention Four of the United Nations on Climate Change. By partially substituting electricity generated based on petroleum or coal, the project already reduces the average emission of greenhouse gases by around 15,000 tons of CO2 per year.

“I see this program as an excellent opportunity for TAP to provide our customers a practical voluntary offsetting tool for their carbon emissions, offering them the possibility of associating themselves with the efforts of the company to become steadily more efficient with a view to minimizing its contribution to climate change", said Fernando Pinto.

The offset scheme designed by IATA calculates carbon emissions based on a method developed by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). IATA is the authority administering the TAP carbon offset program providing guidance on the selection of projects and handling the purchase of carbon credits.

“I am very satisfied by the fact TAP is to be the pioneering company in the launch of the IATA CO2 Emission Offset Program,” stated Giovanni Bisignani, CEO and General Director of IATA. “This program sets a good example of leadership in this industry in terms of economic measures, reinforcing our commitment to a broader strategy of combating climate change based on four pillars: improved technology, effective infrastructure, operating efficiency and positive economic measures".

For further information on the TAP Emissions’ Offset Program see flytap.pt.