Green Fares: How Lufthansa is Setting an Example for Industry Transformation
The vast majority of us love the idea of jetting off to an exciting new destination and adding a new chapter to our travel experiences. We also want to do that in an environmentally possible way. This is a hot topic amongst consumers and airlines, who are looking at ways to experience more sustainable travel, where CO2 emissions are reduced and offset.
Alongside being able to take advantage of airline payment solutions for greater financial flexibility, it is also a prime consideration to find an airline that is offering the chance to fly more sustainably.
This is where Lufthansa is leading the way with their green fares. A large volume of their regular flights, including intercontinental destinations, are operating under their green fares scheme, where they promise to reduce the calculated flight-related CO2 emissions and offset the remaining balance.
Let’s take a look at how Lufthansa is setting an example for other airlines to follow, and what it means for more sustainable airline travel.
A fixed commitment to reducing emissions
Lufthansa’s green fares scheme has now been running for the last two years on all of its European connections.
When you choose a green fare with a Lufthansa group airline it promises to reduce 20% of the calculated flight CO2 emissions through the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The remaining 80% of CO2 emissions are then offset using a contribution made to selected climate protection projects.
Lufthansa has also completed a trial period of their green fares scheme on its long-haul flights. It is now being rolled out and covers almost all of their long-haul flights. Their commitment is to apply the same ethos as with its European flights, but the percentages are slightly different. It promises to reduce the first 10% of flight-related CO2 emissions by using sustainable aviation fuels and offset the remaining 90% by investing in good quality climate protection projects.
The use of sustainable aviation fuels
Airline travel has continued to grow exponentially and this has obvious consequences for the health of the planet as a result of the CO2 emissions associated with this volume of travel.
That’s why the commitment made by Lufthansa to the use of sustainable airline fuels and carbon offsetting should be applauded. The difference between sustainable fuels and standard fuels is very distinctive, and if the trend can move toward a larger percentage of flights using these eco-friendly fuels it can only be better news for the environment.
Sustainable aviation fuels are typically produced using a combination of cooking oils and fats. It is estimated that 80% of CO2 emissions can be saved overall, when compared to the impact of standard fossil fuels.
If this level of sustainability can be replicated across the other airlines, it is abundantly clear that it would have a significantly positive impact on the environmental cost of flying.
It would also help ease the conscience of many travelers who love being able to see the world, but want to be able to do so in the most eco-friendly way possible.
