SINGAPORE: Travellers at Changi Airport can now offset their emissions from air travel regardless of the airline they are travelling with, thanks to the new Changi Carbon Offsets initiative launched on Friday (Nov 10) by Changi Airport Group (CAG).
By using a carbon calculator on the Changi Airport website and Changi App, passengers can calculate the carbon emissions from their forthcoming flights based on the origin, destination and class of travel.
They will then be offered the option to offset the emissions from their journey and use their credit card for payment.
A check on the carbon calculator showed that a single return passenger travelling in economy class from Changi Airport to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport can pay S$14.30 (US$10.51) to offset 1,015kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
The programme will support carbon offset projects to conserve and protect the Rimba Raya forest in Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Anhuang afforestation project in Guizhou, China, as well as the displacement of fossil fuel power generation with wind power generation in Koppal, India.
CAG said the launch of the Changi Carbon Offsets initiative is its latest step to help mitigate carbon emissions.
“Changi Carbon Offsets offers our passengers the opportunity to offset carbon emissions from their flights, by supporting internationally-verified projects which will benefit the environment,” said CAG’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and sustainability Audrey Lee.
“As a demonstration of CAG’s commitment towards lower-emissions air travel, CAG will be purchasing carbon offsets for all business travel by CAG staff going forward.”
The group added it is also working closely with the airport community to improve the energy efficiency of the airport’s buildings and operations, enhance waste management and recycling, conserve water resources and ensure that airport facilities and functions adapt to the impact of climate change.