Virgin Australia proudly promotes and grows awareness of the wonderful destinations where we operate. We understand the importance of protecting and enhancing the places we fly to, to ensure that they retain their natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.
Virgin Australia is a proud supporter of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), through our Fly Carbon Neutral program. Our guests offsetting their flights are directly supporting the New Leaf Project, which is preserving Tasmania’s native forests while also contributing to the protection of important species and ecosystems.
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) is a not-for-profit, apolitical, science and community-based organisation that protects nature on private land in Tasmania, applying business principles to achieving lasting conservation outcomes. The TLC manages more than 30,000 hectares of habitat for rare and threatened species, including the iconic Tasmanian devil and the magnificent Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. Through science, community and enduring commitment, the TLC inspires and empowers people to conserve nature in Tasmania for the benefit of current and future human generations and for nature itself. Through leading ecological monitoring programs of unique species like the Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll, which are extinct on mainland Australia, the TLC works to protect these species and the forests and habitats they rely on.
Fly Carbon Neutral
To help protect the environment and reduce our impact, Virgin Australia offers our customers the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets through our Fly Carbon Neutral program. Fly Carbon Neutral is certified for its opt-in fly carbon neutral service under the Australian Government’s Climate Active Standard, ensuring flight emissions relating to each opt-in passenger’s seat are calculated and offset in an accurate and robust manner. It also guarantees that 100 per cent of your contribution goes to the purchase of high-quality offsets certified through global best practice standards.
To offset your flight, simply add-on the Carbon Offset in the Travel Extras section of the booking process, or simply log in to Manage Your Booking after purchase.
What is aviation’s impact on global warming/ climate change?
Aviation is responsible for an estimated two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this impact is from fossil fuel burned during each flight, which results in the addition of carbon dioxide and other damaging gasses into the atmosphere.
How do carbon offsets make a difference?
Carbon offset projects invest in measures to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere. Some of the projects focus on work to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere, such as planting trees and vegetation. Other projects work to reduce the impacts of human activity such as implementing energy efficiency measures and improved agricultural practices.
How are greenhouse gas emissions calculated for each flight?
We calculate carbon emissions per passenger for each flight using a methodology that has been approved through the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard, which is a partnership between the Australian Government and Australian businesses. Carbon emissions data relating to our operations is collected annually as well as flight and passenger numbers to calculate a per passenger emission value for each flight.
Where does my money go and does Virgin Australia profit from this program?
Funds collected through the Fly Carbon Neutral program are solely used to buy high integrity carbon credits and to boost the existing program. For more information, please see our Emissions Management page. Additionally, Virgin Australia also offsets all emissions from any business travel for all our employees.
How can I contact Virgin Australia about sustainability?
Please contact us via email on SustainabilityTeam@virginaustralia.com.