March 20, 2024
Carbon offsets and now Book & Claim enable you to fly green, with the latter getting attention ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
With hundreds of private jets headed to Davos for the World Economic Forum this week, you are going to be hearing about private jet CO2 emissions. The good news is being green for your private jet flights is easier than ever.
Dozens of jet card programs either include or offer at an additional charge carbon offset for members.
Some, like Sentient, include offsets for additional non-CO2 emissions (It’s one of the more than 65 variables you can compare as a paid subscriber).
The World Economic Forum, however, is going to put Book & Claim in the spotlight.
But, first, some facts.
Private aviation is responsible for just 2% of aviation’s total carbon output, and aviation is just 2.1% of overall human-induced carbon emissions, meaning that private jets emit 0.04% of global human-induced CO2 emissions.
The industry, which has been working to reduce carbon output for nearly 15 years, has pledged to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
“Business aviation is deeply committed to climate action, and we are proud that we have reduced our carbon emissions 40% over the past 40 years,” says International Business Aviation Council Director General and SAF Coalition Steering Committee Co-Chair Kurt Edwards.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% and is considered core to achieving the industry’s environmental objectives.
In 2021, NetJets invested in a new SAF production facility that uses landfill waste. Flexjet took a stake in SAF producer Alder Fuels last year. In December, VistaJet made a SAF fuel commitment as part of its goal to be carbon neutral by 2025. Last summer, charter broker Victor launched an innovative SAF Book & Claim program.
What will be in the headlines this week is Book & Claim.
Edwards adds, “Our member companies have been at the forefront of the aviation industry’s drive to sustainability. Book and Claim enables our operators to encourage the production of SAF and participate now in the decarbonization of the sector.”
So, why is Book & Claim useful?
Right now, there are limited locations where SAF is available.
That means it is hard to always – or often use SAF, depending on where you are flying.
According to the Business Aviation Coalition for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Book & Claim is a transactional process that gives a purchaser (you) the option to buy SAF that is not physically available at a preferred location but is consumed somewhere else, “or booked,” by another purchaser.
You – the purchaser – realize the environmental benefit or credit associated with SAF.
You can claim the environmental benefits associated with the renewable portion of the SAF blend against compliance requirements, greenhouse gas inventory reporting, or in combination with other environmental impact reduction measures.
This can be very important if your company has ESG commitments or if you are a high-profile flyer who may find yourself under media scrutiny.
Fuel providers, FBOs, and several management companies and charter brokers are now offering Book & Claim.
Along with the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, Jet Aviation in Zurich is enabling private jet users coming to Davos, which starts on Jan. 16, to use Book & Claim to reduce emissions.
The National Business Aviation Association and other industry-related trade groups, along with WEF organizers, are publicizing the ability of attendees to use Book & Claim to offset their private jet emissions.
