Aircraft and environmental protection are always contradictory. Even if the airline claims that aviation emissions account for only 2% of global anthropogenic emissions, relatively high greenhouse gas emissions have made the aviation industry more and more environmentally friendly. attack. In the face of energy-saving and emission-reduction pressures, the aviation industry has become a more realistic alternative to the development of electric aircraft. In order to reduce the guilt of passengers, Lufthansa recently launched a “conscience appeasement” project Compensaid, allowing passengers to spend money to offset their carbon footprint. .

If you want to reduce damage to the environment, you can choose to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the fuel you purchase will be used for a flight within 6 months of the airline, and the greenhouse gas emissions of SAF. 80% less than regular fuel. You can also support environmental protection in a different way and donate forests to charities.

▲ Image from: Compensaid

Do you feel better? If you see the price, it may not be good. For the one-way economy class from Frankfurt to New York, the purchase of SAF costs 374 euros (about 3,000 yuan) and the donation is 165 euros.

Obviously, neither approach is cheap, but for passengers who want to reduce their sense of guilt, the money is probably nothing.

In addition, passengers can also check the fuel consumption of the trip, the corresponding carbon dioxide emissions, the efficiency of the aircraft type, etc. on the Compensaid website, and have a clearer understanding of their carbon footprint.

▲ Image from: Compensaid

SAF is a carbon neutral fuel: carbon is reused from existing sustainable biomass or gas, and carbon is recycled to jet fuel. For example, carbon emitted from fuel combustion is reabsorbed by biomass and converted into Fuel, thus replacing fossil jet fuel refined with petroleum crude oil.

Carbon neutral fuel is considered to be the most promising alternative fuel for the aviation industry in the future, but due to limited production and high cost (four times that of fossil fuels), it is currently difficult to promote in the aviation industry, allowing passengers to pass through Compensaid Paying for the environmental protection, Lufthansa’s abacus slammed.

In addition to external pressures, the airlines are also arguing against each other due to carbon emissions. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Scheper last week criticized a low-cost airline headed by Ryanair in a Swiss newspaper, accusing the airlines of using the price of the loss to stimulate consumer demand for unnecessary flights. This has increased pollution and led the aviation industry to become the target of climate movement attacks.

Ryanair didn’t mind, and even thanked Lufthansa for their promotion. “Thanks to Lufthansa for reducing our marketing costs.”

However, the fuel saved by ordinary passengers and airliners is probably only a drop in the face of a short trip for the private jets or luxury yachts of the rich. Ironically, celebrities are calling on people to protect the environment at various events.Reducing emissions while enjoying the convenience and comfort of large-displacement cars and private jets, Leonardo can take a private jet to take environmental protection activities to receive awards. Musk, which advocates green energy, cannot be separated from the Gulfstream G650ER. Soon, celebrities from all walks of life are sitting on helicopters and yachts to the Google Super Party to discuss climate issues, which is called black humor.

The title map is from: Fast Company