NetJets Makes Carbon Offsets Mandatory, Adds $5,500 To Yearly Contracts

September 13, 2007

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NetJets Europe, a private jet company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate, has announced that it will make carbon offsetting compulsory for its customers, the Guardian reports.All new customers and renewing customers at its European operations will have the cost of offsetting their flights added to the bill. The move will add about $5,500 to the cost of a customer’s yearly contract.
Mark Booth, chairman of NetJets Europe, said he was confident the move would not damage sales. Asked if customers might be put off by the extra cost, he said: “I am sure there will be a few but I think this will add a lot of luster to our brand.”

The company has also released details of a new U.S. environmental initiative which includes:

Established a goal of improving its energy efficiency, cutting waste, and reducing carbon emissions from its internal operations by 10 percent over the next two years. It has established Director of Environmental Management positions, reporting to the Office of the Chairman, in both the U.S. and Europe.

Investing in cutting-edge research to identify more environmentally-friendly aviation technologies through sponsoring The Next Generation Jet Fuel Project at Princeton University with the University of California, Davis

Offsetting the carbon footprint of its internal operations. The offset portfolio will also be available to NetJets owners so they can offset their flights. Additionally, Marquis Jet Partners will make the NetJets carbon offset portfolio available to Marquis Jet Card Owners.

Esty Environmental Partners helped develop the initiatives.

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