Qantas has joined other businesses worldwide by going green today to mark World Environment Day.
Held annually on 5 June, World Environment Day focuses on raising environmental awareness and positive actions to protect nature.
Qantas said it will offset its carbon emissions on all domestic flights today.
The move is part of a series of other new sustainability initiatives the airline plans to roll out.
To mark the day, Qantas is also reinvigorating its Fly Carbon Neutral program, which gives customers the option of paying a small amount to offset the emissions associated with their flight – with all proceeds going to community projects in Australia or overseas which generate carbon credits.
At the same time, Qantas will move to replace all lighting in operational areas with energy-efficient LED lights, revamp its domestic onboard recycling program to reduce waste to landfill, and introduce new, lightweight freight containers that will cut fuel consumption.
More than two million tonnes of carbon emissions – the equivalent of planting 12 million trees – have been offset since Qantas and Jetstar introduced carbon offsetting in 2007.
Qantas Head of Environment, Alan Milne, said the airline’s offset program had grown to become the largest of its kind in the world and Qantas was more committed than ever to reducing its carbon footprint.
“We acknowledge aviation is a significant contributor of carbon emissions, which is why we are working hard to reduce our environmental impact in many ways including through fuel efficiency, conserving electricity and water, and reducing waste sent to landfill.”
Alan Milne, Qantas Head of Environment
