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Yeti to transform into carbon neutral airline
Yeti Airlines in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has formally initiated the process to transform itself into a carbon neutral airline.Yeti Airlines in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has formally initiated the process to transform itself into a carbon neutral airline.
At a workshop held in Kathmandu, the airline shared the results of its 1st annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory along with plans to reduce and offset emissions.
The workshop examined the GHG emissions resulting from air travel, vehicle use and facility operations. In doing so the airline has established a carbon baseline which will be used to monitor progress and ultimately become carbon neutral through emission reductions and offsetting.
Building on this initiative, the airline plans to move towards the ultimate goal of climate neutrality which includes other impact areas of its operations such as water use and waste management. “With the support of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) and UNDP, we will be embarking on a committed journey to carbon neutrality-the first airline in Nepal to do so,” Yeti Airlines CEO Umesh Chandra Rai said.
UNDP Nepal Country Director Renaud Meyer said, “Yeti has taken a bold decision to transform itself into a climate neutral company in partnership with UNDP. I believe this will inspire several other Nepali businesses to adopt a goal of climate neutrality, and the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.”
Sanjiv Gautam, director general of Caan, said that Yeti’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability in the aviation sector would contribute towards meeting national and global commitments to reduce greenhouse gases. “I am sure the airline will continue its efforts to regularly monitor and offset carbon emissions.”
The preliminary carbon footprint report shows Yeti Airlines produced 18,113 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2017 mainly from aircraft fuel consumed to service the cities. This total equals the amount of carbon sequestered by approximately 470,000 trees over 10 years.
The emissions from air travel accounts for nearly 100 percent of the company’s emissions. Between 2016 and 2017, the CO2 emissions per km decreased by 7 percent while the CO2 emissions per passenger decreased by 11 percent due to a more efficient fleet.
“We plan to adopt industry-leading practices to reduce our emissions, which include more efficient routes and operations, fleet upgrades, public incentives, staff training, and load reductions,” said Rai.
“Any unavoidable emissions will be offset by purchasing UN-certified carbon credits and other initiatives that support climate mitigation and sustainable development for the benefit of the Nepalese people. We aim to become a carbon neutral company by 2018.”