South Africans Carbon Offset Fruit
AF-KL Cargo has signed its first CO2 offset agreement with four South-Africa-based agents specializing in perishable exports. Aviator Airfreight, Grindrod PCA, Morgan Cargo, and Sky Services have agreed to offset at least 50 percent of the CO2 emitted in shipping fruit in November and December this year.
AF-KL Cargo says it is the first major air carrier to provide freight forwarders and shippers detailed insight into the CO2 emissions of their shipments and the possibility for offsets.
Contributions from the four agents will be invested in projects that create wind, water or solar energy with a Gold Standard certificate.
The Gold Standard Foundation is a Geneva-based non-profit organization that registers CO2 emissions projects and certifies their carbon credits for sale on both compliance and voluntary offset markets.
The Foundation is underwritten by the World Wildlife Fund, Netherlands and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
Michael Wisbrun, chairman of the Joint AF-KL Cargo Management Committee said, “The impact on the environment is an important topic in our air freight business. Many forwarders show interest in this and appreciate the fact that we create transparency in the CO2 emission of their shipments. In the increasing dialogue on corporate social responsibility, we clearly notice that the air cargo industry is taking on the challenge of reducing the impact on the environment jointly. I am proud of these first CO2 compensation agreements, because together we can help to keep our business and our planet healthy.”
