NatureAir 100% Carbon Neutral Airline

I would like to know , how you got Carbon Neutral certified as I understand it is a very expensive and lenghty process , done by very few entities in the world .

Also I understand that FONAFIFO is promoting the reforestation in Costa Rica with non native timber that can be cut down in five years, it doesnt seem to fit.

Also do you think that preserving 500 acres in the Osa Penninsula, where thousands of hectareas are being currently destroyed?

There are projects where users are trying to protect larger amounts of forests or reforest them, which takes an incredible amount of energy from the owners, it seems that just giving money to a questionable entity shoulnt be much of a merit toward conservation efforts.

Maybe I just dont get it

I read with interest the application for Nature Air.
They state that they have a 100% carbon neutral airline, leading the reader to believe that their planes do not have carbon emissions. However, in further reading, they 100% "offset" their carbon contribution to the environment by reforestation in Costa Rica and by powering their ground vehicles with biodegradable fuels.
I agree that they are practicing conservation and preservation with these efforts, but I initially felt misled.
The fact that the company has formed a "sustainable tourism committee" is encouraging, and hopefully, will encourage a further reduction of carbon emissions through more efficient plane fuel and through promoting their concepts internationally.
The impact of their innovation has many far-reaching applications for airlines to help protect and preserve the environment.

Thank you Alex for your response , I have nothing against Fonafifo , its more I get a good payment for protecting close to 2000 acres of forest,of course it takes energy to protect it, i am against their new politics regarding reforestation as they are promoting the production of trees for timber, so they do produce oxygen for 5 years and then get cut down to bare land...

I do admire your compromise towards Carbon Neutrality , I however feel upset that with all the hard work and intention to protect , you have only saved 200 hectareas in the very threatened Osa Peninsula , I think there are other mechanisms in which you can have more impact .

Mr.Alexi Huntley , llegue hasta Ud mis más sinceras felicitaciones y las de mis compañeros de equipo por estar entre las mejores innovaciones en éste desafío 2009. Nosotros compartimos plenamente su ideología.
Adelante con su proyecto!! y a las órdenes en Uruguay si algún dia desea visitar nuestra granja Abambaé.
Abrazo fraterno.
Lady Rodríguez
www.biouruguay.org
http://bio-uruguay.blogspot.com

On July 1, 2009 the judges reviewed the entries for the Changemakers “Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place Sustaining the Future of Destinations” competition and would like to pass on the following feedback (listed below) for your entry. Thank you for applying and for your hard work in the field. We are excited to archive your entry to serve as a leading solution for the worldwide community of innovators. If possible, please take the time to respond to some of the provocative questions and issues that were raised by the judges. We wish you continued luck with your innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful initiatives.

All the best, The Changemakers Team.

“Brave, ambitious, and extremely innovative in one of the most challenging aspects of the industry. Bravo! This project was definitely sustainable and translatable for any airline, but the question is how do you adjust for intense airline competition? Can this airline project succeed for an international or major airline? It is absolutely valid that airlines could be doing more than they are to clean up carbon emissions.”

“Great resourcefulness! The combination of the private sector and government coming together at a solution is a very interesting direction. At a country level and local level this is a solution. Often the true innovation and the trend setting starts by targeting just at the local level and smaller scale then explodes with global replication. It has potential to spread. They have taken a stepping stone towards the global issue of climate change and have taken a leadership role in finding a global solution to the airline industry because we not there yet! If you consider that climate change is the largest impact on a destination, is there a way to measure how much progress has NatureAir has made? Also, can you tell me more about the social component?”

“When this project began in 2005 carbon offsets weren’t really the rage as they are now. This project was truly ahead of its time. By offsetting CO2 emissions and reusing kitchen waste, NatureAir is really effective in protecting the rainforest and the rivers in Costa Rica. Offsetting can only really work when we as tourists are more closely connected with the projects. The key is connecting passengers, consumers and tourists with the offset. Although the company may not get all of their passengers well educated, its innovation definitely deserves replication by other big air companies. While carbon offsetting is 'a good thing' it doesn't alter the fact that damage has been done. Are there plans for looking at more fuel efficient planes as it grows as well as its compulsory offsetting?”

- Changemakers “Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place Sustaining the Future of Destinations ” Judges: National Geographic Society, United Nations Foundation, Tribe Wanted, The Green Belt Movement, Lonely Planet, Southwest