More Good News for Flying Green

I wrote recently about the attempts of several airlines to lower carbon emissions, and now I have related (good!) news for anyone who flies Continental.

Through a partnership with Sustainable Travel International, Continental Airlines has announced that they will offer a carbon offsetting program for their patrons. Sustainable Travel International is an NPO that focuses on renewable energy, reforestation, and other environmental projects.

Continental’s new green project will work on a completely volunteer basis, but the idea is to allow environmentally conscious travelers to diminish their carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon offset options. This is the first time that Sustainable Travel International has worked in conjunction with an airline. This is the latest effort by Continental to address and redress our planets ecological troubles; the airline has lowered its greenhouse gas emissions by almost 35 per cent over the last decade.

Brian T. Mulls, President of Sustainable Travel International, had this to say: "Continental's thorough, substantive approach to the concerns of climate change and longstanding environmental commitment prove that Continental is an industry leader in this field, and we are proud to join with them on this venture."

This program will become effective beginning late this year.

In related news, Air Canada has created a similar program in partnership with Zerofootprint.