Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo signs first CO2mpensation agreement
Paris/Amstelveen - December 1, 2009
Last week AF-KL Cargo signed the first CO2mpensation agreement. Four South-African Perishable freight agents - Aviator Airfreight, Grindrod PCA, Morgan Cargo, and Sky Services - agreed to compensate at least 50% of the CO2 emitted by the transportation of fruit during the months November and December.
Earlier this year, AF-KL Cargo was the first major air carrier to offer the CO2mpensation service to its customers, allowing both freight forwarders and shippers to gain detailed insight into the CO2 emission of their shipments and the possibility to compensate for this emission. The compensation contribution is invested fully in projects that create wind, water or solar energy with a Gold Standard certificate - guaranteeing premium projects in the carbon market which are audited by external parties.
Further to the CO2mpensation service, AF-KL Cargo is making a strong and successful effort to reduce its CO2 footprint, by investing in a modern and fuel-efficient fleet, and in lighter equipment on board. Air France-KLM also is actively participating in trying to reach the Single European Sky, enabling more direct flight routes which can further reduce the CO2 emission by 10%. On corporate level, important steps were recently taken in the development of flying aircraft on sustainable biokerosene (biokerosene that does not jeopardize the food chain, nor cause deforestation or excessive water consumption). Also on many other fronts, AF-KL Cargo is successful in reducing the CO2 emission; including using recyclable materials and promoting paperless freight (e-freight).
Michael Wisbrun, Chairman of the Joint AF-KL Cargo Management Committee: The impact on the environment is an important topic in our air freight business. Many forwarders show interest in this and appreciate the fact that we create transparency in the CO2 emission of their shipments. In the increasing dialogue on Corporate Social Responsibility, we clearly notice that the air cargo industry is taking on the challenge of reducing the impact on the environment jointly.
I am proud of these first CO2mpensation agreements, because together we can help to keep our business and our planet healthy.