|
|
|
|
The first carbon credits that Air New Zealand has secured are Emission Reduction Units from TrustPower’s Tararua Windfarm.
|
|
Climate change is no longer just about the weather. The issue presents both business risk and opportunities. Regardless of whether you are a sceptic or believer, the combination of recent films, reports and Government announcements means the issue is firmly planted in consumer consciousness.
TrustPower, with a portfolio of renewable generation and a strong focus on the development of additional renewable generation, is in an excellent position to take advantage of the opportunities of a carbon constrained economy and assist our customers achieve their climate change goals.
Air New Zealand is one such customer that has a range of environmental initiatives underway as it seeks to take a key leadership role on environmental matters in the aviation industry.
Air New Zealand customers now have the option to fund the purchase of carbon credits to offset their travel through the company’s website www.airnewzealand.co.nz
The carbon offset facility will be made progressively available to customers outside New Zealand through the airline’s international websites later in the year.
“When customers purchase a flight on Air New Zealand, they will now be able to make a conscious choice about whether or not to take positive steps towards helping our environment,” says Air New Zealand Chief Executive, Rob Fyfe.
In estimating the cost of offsetting the emissions three factors are taken into account – the distance travelled, Air New Zealand specific CO2 emission factors (based on information from the previous 12 months of the actual fuel used across different fleet types and the actual number of passengers carried) and the current price of carbon credits.
The first carbon credits that Air New Zealand has secured are Emission Reduction Units from TrustPower’s Tararua Windfarm.
The project was awarded these Kyoto carbon credits as part of the New Zealand Government’s Projects to Reduce Emissions programme.
TrustPower is also assisting a number of other New Zealand companies to directly offset their own emissions via the sale of carbon credits. These companies have identified that offsetting their “carbon footprint” allows them to distinguish themselves from their competitors and position themselves to best advantage in light of the increasing consumer consciousness of climate change.
|
|
|
Examples of the cost of offsetting include:
|
|
|
Return Trip
|
Distance
|
CO2 Emissions
|
Carbon Offset Cost
|
|
Auckland - Wellington
|
960km
|
133kg
|
$4.50
|
|
Christchurch - Sydney
|
4,254km
|
402kg
|
$13.70
|
|
Auckland - Los Angeles
|
20,976km
|
2.6tonnes
|
$88.10
|
|
|
|