Air New Zealand has made a push to brand itself as a green company.
Chief executive Rob Fyfe said the airline had set up an environment trust to fund research and development into alternative fuels and support projects that enhance New Zealand's green reputation around the world.
Customers from yesterday also have the option to buy carbon credits with their tickets to offset their carbon footprint.
The carbon offset facility will later be available to customers outside New Zealand through international websites.
‘‘Customers . . . will now be able to make a conscious choice about whether or not to take positive steps toward helping our environment,'' Mr Fyfe said.
The carbon credit offset for a 960km return trip between Auckland and Wellington that produces 133kg of carbon per passenger costs $4.50.
The 4254km Christchurch-Sydney return trip produces 402kg for a carbon credit cost of $13.70, while Auckland-Los Angeles produces 2.6 tonnes for the 20,976km journey that can be offset for $88.10.
The first carbon credits Air NZ has secured are Emission Reduction Units from Trust-Power's Tararua windfarm.
The project was awarded these Kyoto carbon credits as part of the Government's ‘‘Projects to Reduce Emissions'' programme.
Customers will also be given the option online of donating to the Air New Zealand Environment Trust once the Trust has gained charitable status, which is expected in May.
Air NZ is initially underwriting the trust to the tune of $450,000 and will make regular contributions as a means of offsetting the carbon footprint of its staff travelling by air on business.
Its first project will be a conservation programme involving 40ha on Mangarara Station in Hawkes Bay to set up a model sustainable farming system that will include a native reforestation project, pastoral tree planting and a holistic approach to soil management.
The trust has agreed to help Mangarara Station buy and plant 85,000 trees over the next three years to create a conservation reserve.
The company also said it was aiming to have the world's youngest and most fuel-efficient longhaul fleet within five years by buying Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.
It said it had cut CO emissions 2 from its fleet by more than 100,000 tonnes over the past three years through initiatives such as weight reduction, continuous descent profiles and greater use of ground power while aircraft are at airport gates.
- The Green Party has challenged MPs to stump up themselves and pay for their carbon costs when flying around the country and the world.
Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said all MPs should take responsibility for their environmental impact.
Green MPs were already paying their own offsetting costs.
‘‘Personal payment creates an incentive for MPs and parties to reduce flights, and the Green MPs have become more conscious about optimising travel trips to attending multiple events in one location, and explore alternatives such as video-conferencing,'' Ms Fitzsimons said.
