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The airline wants its easyJet Carbon Offsetting (ECO) scheme to be the most transparent, trustworthy and efficient of any existing scheme by any airline in Europe.

The company will initially use all funds contributed by its passengers to buy carbon credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project in Ecuador, which has undergone extensive environmental auditing and has subsequently been certified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The scope of the ECO scheme will later be extended to other United Nations-certified programmes. Such carbon reduction schemes are recognised as Clean Development Mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol.

By buying credits exclusively and directly from UN-backed projects, the ECO scheme will ensure that the offset is of the highest quality and that passengers' contribution will reach the projects without wasting money unnecessarily on administration.

easyJet has reduced the administrative costs from around 25% for comparable projects to just 5% with a view to reducing it further, making the ECO scheme the most efficient of its kind. This has been achieved by cutting out the middle man and buying credits directly from a project participant.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
"If we are going to be successful in tackling climate change, everyone - government, businesses and individuals - must play a part. And while carbon offsetting isn't the solution to climate change, it has an important role to play.

"That's why easyJet's new offsetting scheme is a really positive step forward. We particularly welcome its exemplary decision to use only certified offset credits that meet Kyoto standards, meaning that its customers can be sure that the carbon reductions are real, clear and accountable. These are the same kind of credits the Government uses to offset its emissions from air travel and is in line with the standard we aim to set through the Government's upcoming Code of Best Practice for offsetting products and will give consumers the clarity they want when offsetting."

Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, commented:
"For people who care about the environment and want to fly greener, easyJet is the right choice. Carbon offsetting can never be a substitute for environmental efficiency, but for easyJet as one of the most efficient airlines in the world, it is a big step towards minimising our environmental impact further.

"When it comes to carbon offsetting, it is not important to be the first, but to get it right the first time. People will only support it if they know where their money goes and that it really makes a difference.

"We have therefore, in true easyJet style, cut out the middle man and will use all funds to buy carbon credits from United Nations-certified projects. UN-backed projects are the best possible way of ensuring that the offset is real.

"While other airlines are hiding their offsetting schemes on obscure parts of their website, easyJet has made it part of the booking process, so that every passenger can make a conscious decision.”

How the scheme works

The easyJet carbon offsetting (ECO) scheme went live on Friday. The easyJet Carbon Calculator will calculate every passenger's emissions, based on sector length, load factor and fuel burn. The airline expects the average contribution for a return journey to be around £3. This sum is added to the cost of the flights and paid for in one single transaction.

easyJet will initially invest the money contributed by its passengers to buy CO2 emission credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project in Ecuador. Citigroup, a leading financial services provider and a prospective project participant, will sell the credits from the Perlabi Hydroelectric Project directly to easyJet.

The 5% fee which is added to the cost of offsetting is for administration only and easyJet will not profit from it.