Global business aviation provider XO's carbon offset program calculates the carbon footprint of its clients' flights and allows them to compensate for the impact of their air travel by purchasing certified carbon credits directly from leading climate action project developer South Pole.
For the 80,000+ passengers that XO serves annually, it is easy to manage their climate impacts at a minimal cost. Flyers have two options: they can opt to offset the carbon impacts of all flights through a new option in their XO Membership contracts, or they can purchase carbon credits on a flight-by-flight basis when booking through XO's mobile app or website, or with a dedicated Aviation Advisor.
"The challenges of the global pandemic have not distracted XO from our responsibility to address the impacts of climate change," said Ron Silverman, Chief Business Officer of XO. "Driven by our commitment to sustainability, we are proud to announce our new partnership with South Pole. This partnership makes it simple and easy for everyone who books flights with XO to neutralize their carbon footprint. We know that our Members want to do their part, and we are thrilled to bring them this opportunity."
South Pole's Commercial Director Global Transportation Natalia Gorina said her company was excited to support XO and their clients embark on a new Climate Journey in this exciting new development in private aviation.
"With the recent decision to postpone the start of offsetting requirements for international flights under the ICAO climate scheme, private aviation can and should step in to act on climate, today. The post-coronavirus world will be a very different one, and by offering its clients a means to compensate for the impact of their footprint, XO is supporting an industry-wide push for a greener recovery and a more sustainable future for business aviation," she said.
Customers can choose to buy carbon credits from three South Pole climate action projects. The three projects are certified with the Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard, the two renowned and most used international standards in the voluntary carbon market.
The Mamize efficient cookstoves project improves community health and protects panda habitat in rural China, InfraVest Tongyuan Wind Power supports Taiwan's clean energy transition, and the Kariba forest protection project addresses deforestation and fosters sustainable livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
In addition to this scheme, XO aims to reduce its carbon footprint: XO's shared fleet model leverages technology to deliver an energy-efficient, “right-plane, right-time" solution. The shared charters and shared flight offerings optimize capacity to mitigate XO's carbon footprint. The technology platform also includes Al and machine learning to make flight routing as efficient as possible.
XO is part of private aviation group Vista Global Holding, which also owns business aviation company VistaJet.
Learn more about XO's new carbon offsetting partnership with South Pole here.
