GreenJets.Info

 A carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO₂e) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases.  One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

There are two markets for carbon offsets. In the larger, compliance market, companies, governments, or other entities buy carbon offsets in order to comply with caps on the total amount of carbon dioxide they are allowed to emit. In 2006, about $5.5 billion of carbon offsets were purchased in the compliance market, representing about 1.6 billion metric tons of CO₂e reductions.

In the much smaller, voluntary market, individuals, companies, or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. For example, an individual might purchase carbon offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by personal air travel. Many companies offer carbon offsets as an up-sell during the sales process so that customers can mitigate the emissions related with their product or service purchase (such as offsetting emissions related to a vacation flight, car rental, hotel stay, consumer good, etc.). In 2008, about $705 million of carbon offsets were purchased in the voluntary market, representing about 123.4 million metric tons of CO₂e reductions.

Offsets are typically achieved through financial support of projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the short- or long-term. The most common project type is renewable energy, such as wind farms, biomass energy, or hydroelectric dams. Others include energy efficiency projects, the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural byproducts, destruction of landfill methane, and forestry projects.  Some of the most popular carbon offset projects from a corporate perspective are energy efficiency and wind turbine projects.

Carbon offsetting has gained some appeal and momentum mainly among consumers in western countries who have become aware and concerned about the potentially negative environmental effects of energy-intensive lifestyles and economies. The Kyoto Protocol has sanctioned offsets as a way for governments and private companies to earn carbon credits which can be traded on a marketplace. The protocol established the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which validates and measures projects to ensure they produce authentic benefits and are genuinely “additional” activities that would not otherwise have been undertaken. Organizations that are unable to meet their emissions quota can offset their emissions by buying CDM-approved Certified Emissions Reductions.

Offsets may be cheaper or more convenient alternatives to reducing one’s own fossil-fuel consumption. However, some critics object to carbon offsets, and question the benefits of certain types of offsets.

Offsets are viewed as an important policy tool to maintain stable economies. One of the hidden dangers of climate change policy is unequal prices of carbon in the economy, which can cause economic collateral damage if production flows to regions or industries that have a lower price of carbon – unless carbon can be purchased from that area, which offsets effectively permit, equalizing the price. Global Exec Aviation is a private jet air carrier currently offering carbon offsets to their clients when they fly. Contact their professionals at: 1-562-424-0663 for more information!

The Citation CJ4, certified in March by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, is the newest and largest member of the popular CJ family of business jets consisting of the Citation CJ1+, CJ2+ and CJ3. The CJ4 is approved for single-pilot operations and shares a common pilot type rating with the other CJs. (A pilot rated to fly any one of the CJs is rated to fly them all). Retail price in 2010 dollars for a typically equipped Citation CJ4 is $9 million.

GreenTrak is a proprietary system, the first offered by a general aviation manufacturer, that uses a process known as cost indexing to minimize total trip cost by balancing the costs of direct operation, fuel burn and carbon emissions.

The Citation CJ4 has a range of just over 2,000 nautical miles (3,710 km) and a top speed of 453 knots (839 kph) – both numbers greater than originally announced in 2006. It has a takeoff roll of 3,130 feet (954 meters) at maximum takeoff weight and is capable of a direct climb to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) in just 28 minutes.

The Citation CJ4 features a four-screen Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite, new Williams FJ44-4A electronically controlled (FADEC) engines, and it debuts the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management system.

Standard on the CJ4 are dual Mode S Diversity transponders with enhanced surveillance and ADS-B out capability, TCAS II, Class A TAWS, multi-scan weather radar, broadcast weather and a maintenance diagnostic system. If your interested in chartering or purchasing an aircraft like the CJ4, contact the professionals at Hollywood Jets for free consulting services.

NEW JETS BURN LESS FUEL, MAKE LESS NOISE, FAST, AND THE NEW ARE THE NEW WAY TO JET SET!

Learn more about green friendly jets by calling Hollywood Jets 1-877-303-6660

By ANN KEETON

The global aviation industry and countries around the world are finding more common ground to set goals to battle long-term climate change, the head of the International Air Transport Association said Saturday.

Late Friday, the International Civil Aviation Organization, a body representing nearly 200 countries on aviation issues, for the first time issued a declaration with targets for cutting the amount of harmful emissions that the aviation industry puts into the air.

In a conference call from Montreal, IATA Chief Executive Giovanni Bisignani said the results were better than he had expected when the diverse group began its meeting Thursday, although there is still a gap in the goals of industry and governments.

The civil-aviation organization said Friday that it wants the aviation industry to achieve annual average aircraft fuel efficiency of 2% per year to 2020, with an “aspirational goal” of an additional 2% annual improvement through 2050.

In 2007, IATA had announced its current goal for 1.5% fuel-efficiency improvement to 2020, with carbon-neutral growth after that, leading to a 50% net reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, as compared to 2005 emissions.

There is nothing aspirational about the plan by IATA, Mr. Bisignani said. All industry players — including the airline members of IATA, aircraft manufacturers, airports and navigation organizations — have agreed that the technology exists now to meet the stated targets.

Mr. Bisignani said the aviation industry is unique among businesses because it has set tough global climate-change standards for itself ahead of government decisions. He plans to meet Monday with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to press the IATA agenda. “Our industry can be a role model for other industries to follow,” he said.

Mr. Bisignani said the declaration by the civil-aviation group will help form a framework for discussions at the U.N.’s meeting on climate control in Copenhagen in December.

Governments world-wide can help make greater cuts in emissions by encouraging development of biofuels and updating air traffic systems, he said. There is proven technology for biofuels that produce less harmful emissions and save energy resources. So far, however, there haven’t been any government incentives to spur production.

Global standards for emissions reduction are difficult for countries to agree on. Mr. Bisignani said it is important to give countries enough time to meet their goals.

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Seeking a Green friendly aircraft? Visit http://www.HollywoodJets.com

In an effort to assist our members reduce their carbon footprint, Hollywood Jets is helping our members by consulting them with information to  identify aircraft that are fuel efficient. Hollywood Jets maintains a database of each available type of aircraft in the charter industry and can simply analyze the difference in estimated fuel consumption. With that information and more, Hollywood Jets will consult and provide estimated quotes to our clients that includes the information they require to decide what aircraft to pick for their next personal or business trip. Hollywood Jets is pleased to provide this service to our members in our effort for “Green Jetting” and helping the environment. We realize that our members will continue to require today’s time machines, however, there are many aircraft manufactured  in the last decade that are much friendlier to the environment such as the popular Raytheon Premier jet below! Call us for more information toll-free at:

 1-877-303-6660

Raytheon Premier IA