Dirty planet but a clean conscience? The truth about airplane carbon offsetting

In aviation, it would seem, claiming you're going green is becoming as important as competing on fares. When European budget airline easyJet released its annual results this week, they paired the report with an announcement that from November 19, it would become the world's first airline operating net-zero carbon flights. It would achieve this, it announced, by carbon offsetting all its flights. The airline plans to do this with "forestry, renewable and community based projects." It has also signed an agreement with Airbus to research the possibilities of hybrid-electric aircraft. EasyJet is the third airline to announce a carbon offset scheme this month alone. It joins Qantas, which has pledged to go net-zero on carbon emissions by 2050, and British Airways, which will carbon offset all its UK domestic flights from 2020. BA's parent company IAG has also pledged to go net-zero on carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile Dutch carrier KLM launched an advertising campaign advising passengers not to fly unless necessary. Other airlines, including Air Canada and Air NZ, operate their own carbon offsetting schemes. With aviation accounting for at least 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and aircraft movement expected to grow at least 1.9% annually over the next 20 years, according to the Airports Council International, there's arguably a need for positive action on reducing environmental impact. The latest moves by airlines have been announced amid the rapidly growing "flight shame" movement, which has taken off in Europe, where aviation fuel is not taxed. It is thought to be responsible for an 8% dip in Swedish aviation. Story has more.<br/>