Norway to offset aviation emissions

Following Britain's example, Norway will buy emissions quotas to help offset greenhouse-gas emissions resulting from government officials' air travel, according to prime minister Jens Stoltenberg.
English

Emissions from jet fuel burned on international flights are among the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases — which contribute to global warming — but are exempt from emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol until 2012.

"The government has decided that when state employees travel by plane abroad, we will buy quotas for the emissions caused by the trip," said Stoltenberg — who did not say how much the arrangement would cost.

Britain has been capturing emissions by government and ministerial air travel since April 2006. The government said last week it was spending up to £3 million (US$5.92 million) to buy 255,000 tonnes of carbon credits for 2007-09.

photo by Mr.mt