Story ID: 
NetJets Europe Halfway to Carbon-Neutral Goal
By: Ian Sheppard
Caption: NetJets Europe yesterday released its first environmental progress report, in which it claims to be on track to become completely carbon-neutral by October
Word Count: 198
NetJets Europe yesterday released its first environmental progress report, in which it claims to be on track to become completely carbon-neutral by October 2012. The Lisbon-based fractional provider said it has stepped up wide-ranging efforts to improve efficiency and counter its negative environmental effects, as well as the less than positive views many have toward use of business jets. NetJets also created an environmental advisory board and appointed to it “some of the world’s leading independent thinkers on green issues”; the board meets twice a year to advise the company and monitor its achievements. According to NJE v-p of environmental affairs Steven Tebbe, the company is moving toward its 2012 goal through its “real difference” climate initiative, which started in October 2007 and has three main areas–carbon offsetting, improving operational efficiency and the “green horizons” program to study future technologies such as alternative fuels. Carbon offsetting is now a mandatory part of every five-year owner contract, enabling NetJets Europe to reach a level of 62 percent of flights being actively offset, while 77 percent of customers are now participating in the program. The company has also achieved a reduction in average per-flight emissions of 6 percent due to increasing its operational efficiency.