Lufthansa and SWISS promote climate protection

From 17 September, Lufthansa passengers will have a further opportunity to play an active role in tackling climate change. Via the independent partner organisation myclimate, ecologically aware air travellers can invest specifically in climate protection projects. Passengers can make donations via a direct link on the website Lufthansa.com.

The money will be used to fund climate protection projects that will help to achieve a direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. All the projects that have been selected comply with the most stringent quality standards. The myclimate emissions calculator, which takes into account the fuel-consumption data for Lufthansa’s environmentally friendly fleet, provides customers with guidelines for donations. How much they actually give is up to the individual. The myclimate offer does not affect the price of a Lufthansa ticket.

This option to support climate protection projects is the latest platform to enable Lufthansa customers to become involved in protecting mankind and the environment. Since 2006, passengers have been able to donate award miles to aid agencies and environmental organisations as part of the “Miles to Help” initiative. One of the projects to which money can be donated is Living Lakes, which strives to retain lake areas and wetlands worldwide.

“Lufthansa stands for corporate policies that are geared to environmental protection and sustainability. By providing a platform that enables our customers to play a part in climate protection, we are also complying with the wishes of many Lufthansa passengers who are eager to make an effective contribution to the common good,” said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, CEO and Chairman of the Lufthansa Executive Board.

Since 2002, the international initiative myclimate has been one of the leading carbon offset providers. Lufthansa passengers can make an online donation via Lufthansa.myclimate.org, an Internet page that has been specially set up for Lufthansa. The option is available independent of a flight booking.

In addition to the emissions calculator, the web page contains detailed information about the myclimate carbon offset projects to which donations from Lufthansa passengers will go. In its choice of climate protection projects the organisation is committed to the highest quality standards and guarantees to adhere to the criteria for ecological and social sustainability.

Elsewhere within the Group, SWISS is also offering its passengers a platform for reducing their carbon footprint in cooperation with myclimate, with effect from today. Lufthansa’s corporate clients can settle their carbon offset donations automatically via the Group subsidiary AirPlus, which offers a fully integrated solution.

Lufthansa’s environmental performance continues to go from strength to strength. Since 1991 the airline has succeeded in lowering its fuel consumption by almost 30 per cent to the present level of 4.4 litres per 100 passenger-kilometres. At the same time, the company realises half of its annual transport growth without any additional CO2 emissions. Lufthansa is currently investing well over 12 billion euros in more than 130 new fuel-efficient aircraft and has received recognition for its environmental commitment.

For 2007/2008, the company has again been included in the internationally renowned Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.