CNN.com - BA chief discusses flying, climate

Eddington says travelers will have to pay for a cleaner environment.

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Every flight you take produces greenhouse gases, which can have a direct impact on climate change. Travel uses energy and this comes mainly from fossil fuels.

Burning jet fuel during a flight deposits carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions into the upper atmosphere. These emission are expected to rise as demand for global air travel increases.

Airlines are becoming more aware of the impact they are having on the environment. Some are trying to improve fuel efficiency, as well as support emissions trading schemes. (Full Story).

CNN's Richard Quest spoke to Rod Eddington, chief executive of British Airways, about what the UK-based airline is doing with respect to the environment.

The carrier's new mantra is: "You can take responsibility for the impact of your flight."

QUEST: Concerning the issue of emissions trading, British Airways has been very forceful about it. Is this an excuse? Emissions trading is not exactly cutting emissions is it?

EDDINGTON: I think airlines have got to do two things. The first thing they have got to do is to look at reducing emissions, and British Airways has seen a substantial reduction in its emissions over the last five years.

This is because we have modernized our fleets -- this is something we have had to do. But you also have to embrace the emissions trading scheme to offset the emissions that British Airways delivers.

RQ: Is it good for the environment though, and is it good for the business traveler? What is the driving force behind it?

RE: If aviation is not seen as a sustainable industry it will be pushed away by the communities that it serves.

We have got to do this out of self-interest. But we have also got to do this because it is the most sensible way to address the emissions issues and emissions that airlines inevitably produce.

RQ: For a business traveler who is sitting or sleeping on your planes, your message to them on helping the environment and reducing the emissions that they create is that they will have to pay extra for it?

RE: Yes they are, we are saying that we take this issue very seriously and that airlines in particular have to take this issue very seriously. All businesses have to take this issue seriously. We believe that emissions trading is the best way to do that.

British Airways has teamed up with an environmental organization called Climate Care to help travelers offset the emissions created during a flight.

Customers can calculate their portion of a flight's total emissions at the British Airways Website: www.ba.com/offsetyouremissions

Climate Care charges $12 to offset each tonne of carbon dioxide. For a flight from London to Paris a fee of $9 is suggested, for a trip to Sydney, Australia it is $46.

The Oxford-based organization funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as the purchase of stoves for schools in India. These use crop waste as a renewable energy source.