Austrian Airlines, Norwegian push carbon offsetting

Austrian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle both made carbon offsetting announcements Dec 5, although they are using passenger-funded schemes, unlike recent airline-funded initiatives at Air France, BA and easyJet. Norwegian selected Oslo-based climate-tech company CHOOOSE as its offset partner, enabling passengers to offset their emissions when they book a flight. CHOOOSE is already active in over 70 countries. “We’re now putting a price on actual carbon emissions from flying, making it easy for all our customers to take climate action,” Norwegian acting CEO Geir Karlsen said Thursday. Norwegian also became the first airline to sign a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change “Climate Neutral Now” pledge, committing to becoming climate neutral by 2050. Passengers will be able to see how the emissions of their Norwegian flight compare to industry averages. Emissions will be calculated using ICAO’s official methodology. Customers will then be able to opt in, offsetting their emissions through “gold standard” programs that meet UN guidelines.<br/>