Air New Zealand greens the sky
02 Apr 2008
New Zealand’s national airline is helping the environment through new ‘green’ initiatives.
Air New Zealand has launched an environmental trust and a carbon credit scheme, allowing customers to actively help the planet.
The Air New Zealand Environmental Trust will fund research and development into alternative fuels and will support projects that enhance New Zealand’s environment. Customers will be able to donate to the trust once it gains charitable status around May 2008. Air New Zealand will also make regular contributions to the trust to offset the carbon footprint of its staff travelling by air on business.
''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 toward helping our environment,'' says Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe.
The first project of the trust will be a 100 acre conservation programme on Mangarara Station in Hawke’s Bay. The owners of the station are developing a sustainable farming system which will include a native reforestation project, pastoral tree planting and a holistic approach to soil management.
The Air New Zealand Environment Trust plans to financially contribute to the purchase and planting of 85,000 trees over the next three years to create the conservation reserve. The public will have access to the historic Hawke’s Bay farming station to see the project as it develops.
Alongside the trust, customers can also purchase carbon credits to offset their travel. The first carbon credits secured by Air New Zealand are Emission Reduction Units from TrustPower’s Tararua windfarm.
The carbon offset facility is currently available within New Zealand. The scheme will be made available to customers outside the country later in the year through the airline’s international websites.
For other environmental initiatives being undertaken by Air New Zealand, please visit the company website listed below.
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