Finnair moots global body to govern emission trade

The airline proposes to involve other carriers for emission control initiatives and plans to plough money from such trading to help airlines in developing countries control, what it describes as, aviation sector's  biggest output threat to the atmosphere.
"There is absence of any definite system to calculate emission trading. We feel that there should be a global body, preferably under the United Nations to check and regulate on this very important issue," Finnair's VP Sustainable Development Kati Ihamaki said.
Estimates suggest that carbon dioxide emissions by airlines could touch 1.5 billion tonnes a year by 2025.
Every economy class passenger flying from Mumbai to New York contributes over 2,000 pounds in CO2 emissions and a business class passenger on the same flight over 3,000 pounds.
She said the money thus gained by the airline can be routed back to other developing countries and they can utilize this to curtail emissions.
Finnair's international route network is focussed on Asia, and the airline operates daily services between Helsinki and New Delhi.

The European carrier has already improved its ranking in Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), a global measure for climate impact by analysing emission rates and proposes to be a green airline by 2050.
The airline is also planning to create awareness amongst people on how their decision to fly an airline with fuel- efficient aircraft can help the planet.
"The need of the era is to have smart customers. They must choose eco-friendly planes. By this way they will not be putting burden on the atmosphere and contributing very less or no pollution to the atmosphere," Ihamaki told PTI.
Talking about the emission control measures being taken by the airline, she said "we have the average age of our aircraft less than six years and we continue to upgrade our fleet and bring in technological challenges so that our planes do not over-emit or create any atmospheric imbalance.
"The airline also plans to promote sustainable tourism worldwide with the help of other stake holders to promote green tourism.
"Finnair group has already signed Helsinki declaration for sustainable tourism.
There are at least 150 other members, including travel agencies, tour operators, resort owners and airlines to collectively promote green and sustainable tourism," she said.

"Around 95 per cent of an airline's emissions result from engine emissions during flying. The biggest environmental help that an airline can extend is to have modern, low-emission aircraft. It can really be a 'Hopehagen' to deal with major climatic problems," the official said.
According to an official data of 2007, over 900 million trips were taken worldwide by different airlines which collectively generated 625 billion Euros.
About 2.25 billion passengers travelled by air in a year.
Finnair's India Director Kari Stolbow said the airline hopes to become a zero emission carrier by 2050.
A typical fuel-efficient Finnair flight for New Delhi -Helsinki- New York saves nine tonnes of fuel which in a way results in 28 tonnes of lower emission.
Finnair has been reporting its climate impact in the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for three years now.