Avfuel is now offering a voluntary carbon offset programme for its fuelling partners. The fuel supplier helps flight operations offset their carbon emissions in one of two ways: by designating a specific number of gallons to offset when creating an Avfuel Contract Fuel authorisation online, or by opting to offset emissions from all gallons of fuel purchased through Avfuel.

“Aviation currently accounts for 2 per cent of the world's CO2 emissions,” says C.R. Sincock, Avfuel's executive VP. “Other than utilising sustainable aviation fuel, carbon offsetting is going to be the key way to reduce industry emissions in the near term. We're happy to help our customers efficiently and cost-effectively cut their carbon emissions with this new programme.”

Carbon offsetting is a cost-effective process by which companies can cancel their CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits (certificates showing the offset of one ton of CO2) that invest in certified projects with a positive impact upon the environment. Avfuel focuses on projects that involve forestry, wind power, solar power, surf and biomass. Because the number of carbon credits a project produces at a given time is finite, the specific projects the company supports will periodically change.

All projects supported in the carbon offsetting programme have to meet the strict requirements of either the United Nations or the Gold Standard. This means the investment generated by every carbon credit purchased is certified to be genuine and ultimately feeds directly into the environmental project.

Avfuel has also appointed Zinnia Lerma and Candace Schroeder as contract fuel sales associates.

Lerma has more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry working for such companies as Universal Weather and Aviation, and Million Air Houston in sales, business development and account manager roles. As a contract fuel sales associate for Avfuel based out of Houston, Texas, Lerma will focus on customer acquisition and retention for contract fuel flight department accounts throughout Mexico and the southern U.S. Lerma has also held positions on the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers committee for four years, and the Schedulers & Dispatchers Advisory Council for five years.

Schroeder has nearly 15 years of experience in the aviation industry working for such companies as the Southern California Soaring Academy, Rotor F/X, Bob Hoover's Jet Center, Universal Weather and Aviation, and Castle & Cooke Aviation. During her time in the industry, Schroeder has held managerial roles in operations, customer service, business development and marketing. As a contract fuel sales associate for Avfuel based out of Los Angeles, California, Schroeder will focus on customer acquisition and retention across the US with an emphasis on the west coast, as well as assist in new and recurrent branded FBO training.