Airlines association IATA has created a new methodology to calculate the amount of carbon emissions produced by a passenger on a specific flight.
The launch of the IATA Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology is designed to offer “an accurate and standardised” way for corporate buyers to measure the emissions from their travellers’ journeys and assess this against the organisation’s reduction targets.
Willie Walsh, IATA's director general, said: “Airlines have worked together through IATA to develop an accurate and transparent methodology using verified airline operational data.
“This provides the most accurate CO2 calculation for organisations and individuals to make informed choices about flying sustainably. This includes decisions on investing in voluntary carbon offsetting or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use.”
IATA’s methodology takes into account several factors, including fuel measurements, CO2 emissions calculations, the airline cabin flown in by the traveller, and the use of SAF and carbon offsets.
Walsh added: “The plethora of carbon calculation methodologies with varying results creates confusion and dents consumer confidence. By creating an accepted industry standard for calculating aviation’s carbon emissions, we are putting in place essential support to achieve this goal.”