We don't joke about the environment
At Virgin Blue and our international airlines, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, we take our commitment to minimising any kind of environmental impact of our activities very seriously. To help address climate change we have implemented a range of initiatives to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. We have improved our efficiency by 13% in the last 5 years and we are aiming for a further improvements in the coming years.
Already we operate Australia's youngest fleet of fuel efficient New Generation 737 aircraft and Embraer E-Jets, and continually seek to improve fuel efficiency through technological and operational enhancements such as the installation of winglets, reducing aircraft weight, and improved flight planning.
We also wholeheartedly support Sir Richard Branson's initiatives to address climate change including reduction of aircraft fuel emissions and the development of new technologies, such as alternative fuels and new engines and airframes that will improve efficiency further.
Carbon offsetting is an important component of our environmental strategy. At the end of the day, flying results in the emission of greenhouse gases no matter how efficient we are. Offsetting is an option that allows us and our Guests to offset emissions related to flights through Government recognised abatement projects. Such projects also provide other benefits, such as public education and contributing to the development of the renewable energy industry.
We are also putting our money where our mouth is by making a financial commitment of about $2.5 million over the next five years to minimise the greenhouse impacts of our own crew and all team members travelling on company business.
As airlines, we are well aware of the complexity of the challenge of meeting demand for air travel while working to reduce aircraft emissions at the same time. We believe we can make a step in the right direction and we hope other airlines will follow.
More information on our environmental initiatives
As part of our commitment to minimising our impacts on the environment, we have adopted an integrated approach to the issue by focusing on improving efficiency and reducing emissions through the implementation of a range of initiatives including:
- utilisation of a young fleet of fuel efficient New Generation aircraft;
- working with Government to address air traffic management to achieve more efficient aircraft routing and flight profiles;
- examining all areas of flight operations to improve efficiency;
- reviewing and implementing new technology such as winglets and the use of more fuel efficient engines on new 737 aircraft;
- implementation of eco-efficiency initiatives in new and existing company premises;
- waste minimisation and recycling strategies for aircraft, airport terminals and offices.
What you can do
Flying like many other forms of transport impacts the environment because the fuel used by airlines results in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions into the upper atmosphere. Virgin Blue and our international airlines, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue have set our own challenge to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to our business. Now we also offer our Guests the opportunity to offset emissions related to flights taken with any of our three airlines.
You can offset the carbon emissions from your flight in two ways - when booking your flight on our website simply tick the box that appears during the booking process, or you can offset your flight at any time by clicking the carbon offset button on our home page.
You too can make a difference!
Climate change is happening now, but the actions every one of us takes on a daily basis can reduce its effects. We can all help protect our environment by making changes, big and small, in the way we lead our lives - particularly in the areas of, waste, energy use and transport.
The Australian Conservation Foundation's GreenHome program provides information on how you can make a difference.
How we calculate the emissions volume for your seat
To ensure our calculation of the volume of emissions relevant to you and your flight we first calculated the carbon emissions for all flight sectors flown in the previous twelve months within the network by our fleet. We undertook a detailed greenhouse gas life cycle assessment to determine to a high degree of accuracy the emissions that are associated with all aspects of our operations both in the air and on the ground.
Having calculated emissions on each flight route for the past year, we then divide the figure for the route you are flying by the number of people that travelled on that route during the previous year. An amount is then subtracted to account for the freight carried by the aircraft. The resulting emission figures are then used in the online calculator.
The emissions calculated are those included in the latest edition of the Australian Greenhouse Office's National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors.
What abatement programs will my money go to?
Monies collected through our optional Carbon Offset Program will be contributed to projects in Australia and New Zealand.
If you choose to offset a flight on the Virgin Blue network, your contribution will go towards the Department of Climate Change’s (DCC) Approved Greenhouse Friendly™ Abatement Projects.
We have finalised an agreement with LMS Generation to provide us with high quality Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement for our offset program. LMS Generation is the first company in Australia to trade carbon credits from the combustion of landfill gas. Click here for more information about the company and their abatement projects.
Your contribution will also go towards credits generated by the Waste Composting facility operated by the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council. Click here for more information.
For more information on Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement click here.
If you choose to offset a flight on the Pacific or Polynesian Blue network, your contribution will to go Abatement Projects from the Ministry of Environment's Project to Reduce Emissions (PRE) Programme. The first project from which we have purchased credits is the Palmerston North Landfill Gas to Energy project.
For more information click on this link to the Ministry of Environment's Project to Reduce Emissions web page. Examples of types of abatement activities which may be approved under the programme include energy efficiency measures, waste diversion, generation of renewable energy and landfill gas flaring.
