Kenya Airways has become the first African airline to enlist in IATA's carbon offset program under the United Nations' Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), in which firms investing in such projects receive credits called certified emissions reductions.
So far 30 airlines have joined the IATA carbon offset program and seven airlines under IATA are already funding various projects around the world. The aviation sector contributes about 2 percent of total global carbon emissions. Kenya Airways said it planned to fund an expansion project in the country's 48-megawatt Olkaria III geothermal power station in the Rift Valley. The airline has so far offset 100 tons during a trial run in April.
PASSENGERS WILL PAY VOLUNTARILY
Passengers could chose to offset carbon emissions of their flights by agreeing to pay a surcharge on tickets.
Kenya Airways said the program would start with passengers making online bookings. Anyone wishing to forego the program would be allowed to fly with a normal ticket.My colleague Susan booking a flight from Nairobi to Mombasa could choose to pay $0.97 for her share of damage on the planet:
The airline said the option will be available for offline bookings at a later date.
IATA's Schneider said three other African airlines -- Mozambique Airlines (LAM), Egyptair and South African Airways were expected to start making payments to carbon offset schemes this year.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner described the project as "something that befits Kenya's search for being a leader in the transition towards a green economy" and not just a step forward for the aviation sector. Huh!Nice words but there are skeptics,especially in governments who believe the aviation sector should do more than just introducing such 'little' green programs.
So far 30 airlines have joined the IATA carbon offset program and seven airlines under IATA are already funding various projects around the world. The aviation sector contributes about 2 percent of total global carbon emissions. Kenya Airways said it planned to fund an expansion project in the country's 48-megawatt Olkaria III geothermal power station in the Rift Valley. The airline has so far offset 100 tons during a trial run in April.
PASSENGERS WILL PAY VOLUNTARILY
Passengers could chose to offset carbon emissions of their flights by agreeing to pay a surcharge on tickets.
Kenya Airways said the program would start with passengers making online bookings. Anyone wishing to forego the program would be allowed to fly with a normal ticket.My colleague Susan booking a flight from Nairobi to Mombasa could choose to pay $0.97 for her share of damage on the planet:
The airline said the option will be available for offline bookings at a later date.
IATA's Schneider said three other African airlines -- Mozambique Airlines (LAM), Egyptair and South African Airways were expected to start making payments to carbon offset schemes this year.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner described the project as "something that befits Kenya's search for being a leader in the transition towards a green economy" and not just a step forward for the aviation sector. Huh!Nice words but there are skeptics,especially in governments who believe the aviation sector should do more than just introducing such 'little' green programs.
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