Can buying carbon offsets really help make your flight greener?

All this isn’t helped by the little information airlines have announced about their carbon offset programs, experts say.

Airlines generally provide information about the climate projects they support, but most do not publish other details, such as utilization rates and total contributions from passengers.

“I don’t know if customers really understand the benefits of buying carbon offsets from airlines,” said Law, an associate professor at NTU.

“If you look at the annual reports of these airlines, they rarely disclose the allocation of funds, for example how much money is being put into individual projects and the actual results.”

He added that greater transparency could help quell skepticism.

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When contacted, SIA said the voluntary carbon offset scheme has seen “positive response” since it was launched in mid-2021. He declined to disclose details such as the takeoff rate, which is “extraordinary information”.

The national airline also said it had chosen carbon offset projects with “high quality” and “proven and measurable impact”. It did not respond to subsequent questions asking for details about this effect.

Carbon offsetting is part of SIA’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Other initiatives include using sustainable aviation fuel and eco-friendly packaging for in-flight meals, and operating what the company says is a young fleet of aircraft. “The most effective and direct method” Reduce carbon emissions.

All Nippon Airways did not respond to questions related to the utilization rate and total monetary contribution of the carbon offset scheme, but the Japanese airline said it was “aware of the criticism” related to the offset initiative. .

This is one of the reasons we launched a program two years ago to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels. It also has a long-term goal of “gradually replacing activities that offset carbon emissions with more substantial and effective solutions to reduce emissions” by 2050, according to a company spokesperson. told CNA.

Other solutions the company is exploring include using negative emission technologies, sustainable aviation fuels and other potentially clean energy sources.

Another airline that responded to CNA’s question was Cathay Pacific Airways, which said its Fly Greener program was able to offset a total of 27,280 tonnes of carbon emissions from its operations in 2021.

Of which, 3,282 tons and 16,236 tons were offset by individual and corporate customers respectively.

Since the carbon offset scheme was launched in 2007, it started with passengers and last year expanded to cargo customers. The airline has purchased over 300,000 tonnes of carbon offsets.

As airlines take “all reasonable steps” to reduce their environmental impact, Cathay Pacific will focus on the areas of “highest impact”, namely reducing carbon emissions on the air and on the ground. and a more conscious use of resources.

Dominic Perrette, Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia and South West Pacific, Cathay Pacific Airways, said:

Elsewhere in the industry, a handful of airlines, such as UK’s EasyJet, have scrapped carbon offset schemes to focus on other initiatives.