British Airways (ba) passengers can now be 'environmentally correct'. The airlines has introduced a 'green fee' for its passengers as compensation for the environmental damage caused by aircraft exhaust emissions. The money will be used for carbon offsetting, feeding energy saving projects in developing nations. ba began giving the choice of the donation to passengers from September 12, 2005. It is collaborating with Climate Care, a uk -based environmental trust specialised in carbon offsetting. The fee will vary with the distance travelled: those flying from London to Paris will pay us $9.05.
Observers say ba is trying to show the government it is seriously acting to cut harmful emissions. It fears the government will adopt a European proposal for environmental taxes on flights if it feels the industry is not keen on taking appropriate action. But Greenskies Alliance, a coalition of environmental groups, isn't too impressed: "There is only one sure way to reduce climate change impact of aircraft exhaust emissions, and that is to fly less," said Jeff Gazzard of the Alliance, adding that ba had chosen the cheapest scheme.
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