UK-based charter operator and aircraft management company Air Charter Scotland is teaming with global sustainability consultancy South Pole to fully offset carbon emissions from its business jet fleet based out of London at Biggin Hill and Luton airports, as well as at Glasgow and Malta. It has determined that its initial involvement will help support a new, hydropower water project located on the Du River in the Hubei Province in China.

“We have been evaluating doing something meaningful and tangible on carbon emissions for some time now,” says COO Derek Thomson. “This Hubei project is a well-considered community programme that our growing base of international clients can identify with. It will enable the local community to tap into new, renewable energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels as the main source of power generation, sparing the environment from 782,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions on average per year.”

Newly designed to aid the supply of clean energy, the Hubei project delivers clean electricity through a hydropower station with an installed capacity of 500MW, reducing pollution for the local community.

“South Pole supports this worthy project as a significant contributor to improved local transportation and communications systems. It provides employment opportunities for 70 people plus training provision, as well as enhanced investments that benefit the local economy. We are duly very pleased to be working with Derek Thomson and his team as they embark on their carbon offsetting journey with this valued initiative,” says South Pole aviation and shipping expert Agnieszka Kwolek.

Founded 21 years ago, ACS is looking forward to building its business relationship with South Pole, where it hopes to support other international projects going forward. Indeed the company is also investigating a suitable nature project in the UK to invest in later this year.

“Aviation contributes to 2.5 per cent of all global CO2 output," adds Thomson. "Business aviation contributes a fraction of that, no more than 0.2 per cent, and our sector continues to lead in the drive to sustainability with next gen alternative powered aircraft and the widening supply of sustainable aviation fuel at business aviation airports.”

Through its sustainability programmes, South Pole sees that 782,000 tonnes of CO2 are mitigated on average each year.