Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, has launched a voluntary carbon offset program for passengers in partnership with New Zealand based carbon offset provider and climate-tech firm CarbonClick.
Image Credit: CarbonClick
Thanks to the integrated CarbonClick solution, passengers will now see the estimated amount of emissions relative to their flight displayed during the booking process and will be given the option to offset the emissions alongside buying their flight ticket. Allowing passengers to offset their flight emissions without needing to leave the ticket purchase page ensures a much higher uptake rate compared to post-pay offsetting.
The offset programme will be available to all passengers on all routes and flight classes. Upon completing their booking, passengers will get an independent ‘Track and Trace’ receipt from CarbonClick which shows which project their funds have been allocated to alongside the traditional receipt from AZAL. CarbonClick is able to instantly share the details of where the passenger’s contribution has gone, providing end-to-end transparency.
By opting to offset their emissions, AZAL passengers will be able to contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects certified by organisations like Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard. Credibility and transparency are incredibly important for CarbonClick. Their 7-Point Impact Check assesses the credibility, accountability, effectiveness and positive impact of each and every project, audited against 7 key criteria. AZAL has chosen high-quality nature-based and renewable energy solutions with a focus on restoring biodiversity and helping the long-term management of storing and absorbing carbon. These include:
Katingan Peatland Restoration Project in Indonesia which protects and restores almost 150,000 hectares of peatland ecosystems, to offer local communities a sustainable source of income, and to tackle global climate change. Peatlands create a potent carbon sink, that will continue to absorb CO2 for thousands of years.
Mangrove Restoration Project in Pakistan which is rooted in more than 200,000 hectares of tidal wetlands on the South-East coast of Sindh in Pakistan. This incredibly rich and diverse landscape embodies exceptional potential to help contribute to climate change mitigation through its unique multi-functionality, coupled with the critical ecosystem services it provides.
Tokat Landfill Gas to Energy Project in Turkey which captures landfill gas (methane) and converts it into electricity. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 164,429T CO2-e during the first crediting period. It will also reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve environmental conditions in the landfill area. Methane is one of the most potent contributors to global warming, so this project demonstrates one of the most powerful ways to combat climate change in the short term.
By supporting these projects focused on ecosystem restoration and clean energy solutions, passengers can make a meaningful contribution to addressing the global climate crisis. Passengers can learn more about which environmental projects their donations support by visiting the following link: https://azerbaijanairlines.carbon.click/.
Dave Rouse, CEO of CarbonClick said: “Our goal is to work towards a cooler planet, and by helping airlines such as AZAL to fully integrate carbon offsetting into their booking process, we make this decision easier for passengers to invest in impactful climate projects. The partnership will allow AZAL customers to mitigate the impact of their travel while being assured of a smooth and simple process and transparent, credible results.”
Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC said: “We are thrilled to team up with CarbonClick to make climate action easy and transparent for our customers, advancing our shared commitment to the planet and its sustainable future.”