easyJet pioneers carbon offsetting

easyJet, Europe’s leading low-fares airlines, has today become the first major European airline to offer its customers the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions of their flights by investing exclusively in United Nations-certified projects.

easyJet is already one of Europe’s most environmentally efficient airlines and operates one of the most modern fleets of any major airline in Europe consisting of 137 of the cleanest, quietest aircraft available with an average age of just 2.3 years. easyJet’s efficient business model (higher seat densities and higher load factors) means that traditional airlines emit nearly 27% more emissions per passenger kilometre than easyJet flying the same aircraft on similar routes.

Whilst the Stern Report confirmed that aviation only accounts for 1.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, easyJet recognises that airlines have to face up to the challenge of climate change. For carriers that already operate with the highest level of efficiency, carbon offsetting is an excellent additional measure that can help towards taking flying out of the emissions equation.

The airline is committed to making the easyJet Carbon Offsetting (“ECO”) scheme the most transparent, trustworthy and efficient of any existing scheme by any airline in Europe.

The company will initially use all funds contributed by its passengers to buy carbon credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project in Ecuador, which has undergone extensive environmental auditing and has subsequently been certified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The scope of the ECO scheme will later be extended to other United Nations-certified programmes. Such carbon reduction schemes are recognised as Clean Development Mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol.

By buying credits exclusively and directly from UN-backed projects, the ECO scheme will ensure that the offset is of the highest quality and that passengers’ contribution will reach the projects without wasting money unnecessarily on administration.

easyJet has reduced the administrative costs from around 25% for comparable projects to just 5% with a view to reducing it further, making the ECO scheme the most efficient of its kind. This has been achieved by cutting out the middle man and buying credits directly from a project participant.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:

"If we are going to be successful in tackling climate change, everyone -- government, businesses and individuals -- must play a part. And while carbon offsetting isn't the solution to climate change, it has an important role to play.

"That's why easyJet's new offsetting scheme is a really positive step forward. We particularly welcome its exemplary decision to use only certified offset credits that meet Kyoto standards, meaning that its customers can be sure that the carbon reductions are real, clear and accountable. These are the same kind of credits the Government uses to offset its emissions from air travel and is in line with the standard we aim to set through the Government's upcoming Code of Best Practice for offsetting products and will give consumers the clarity they want when offsetting."

Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, commented:

“For people who care about the environment and want to fly greener, easyJet is the right choice. Carbon offsetting can never be a substitute for environmental efficiency, but for easyJet as one of the most efficient airlines in the world, it is a big step towards minimising our environmental impact further.”

“When it comes to carbon offsetting, it is not important to be the first, but to get it right the first time. People will only support it if they know where their money goes and that it really makes a difference.”

“We have therefore, in true easyJet style, cut out the middle man and will use all funds to buy carbon credits from United Nations-certified projects. UN-backed projects are the best possible way of ensuring that the offset is real.”

“While other airlines are hiding their offsetting schemes on obscure parts of their website, easyJet has made it part of the booking process, so that every passenger can make a conscious decision.”

How the scheme works

The easyJet carbon offsetting (“ECO”) scheme will be available to all customers as of today. The easyJet Carbon Calculator will calculate every passenger’s emissions in a reliable and robust way, based on sector length, load factor and fuel burn. The airline expects the average contribution for a return journey to be around £3. This sum is added to the cost of the flights and paid for in one single transaction.

easyJet will initially invest the money contributed by its passengers to buy CO2 emission credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project in Ecuador. Citigroup, a leading financial services provider and a prospective project participant, will sell the credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project directly to easyJet.

easyJet agrees with the concern of the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee that airlines often hide offsetting away. easyJet, as one of only a few airlines in Europe, will therefore give each passenger the choice to offset the CO2 emissions of his or her flight as part of the booking process.

easyJet furthermore believes that other airlines should offer calculators that are as open and transparent as ours, and that this is the only way that consumers can have confidence in properly assessing the impact of their flying.

The 5% fee which is added to the cost of offsetting is for administration only and easyJet will not profit from it.

More information on the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project can be found on the UN’s website.