KEY POINTS:
Cathay Pacific passengers can now do their bit for the planet by supporting a Chinese windfarm as part of a voluntary carbon offset scheme.
Economy class passengers can pay just under $20 on a return trip to Hong Kong as part of the scheme which the airline says is the first of its kind in Asia.
Passengers can buy as many offsets as they like - including those for previous journeys - on either Cathay Pacific or its sister airline Dragonair.
Passengers can also use air miles to pay for their offsets.
Business class and first class passengers will be asked to pay more because they take up more space on an aircraft and contribute more to total weight. The fuel efficiency of the aircraft, dictated by its age and type and season it is flying in, will also determine the size of the contribution.
Cathay has joined a growing number of airlines including Qantas and Virgin Blue in offering voluntary contributions. Air New Zealand plans to introduce a scheme early next year which it says will have more tangible benefits for passengers.
Cathay's New Zealand manager David Figgins said the scheme was not a response to specific passenger demand but "public interest" in environmental mitigation schemes was growing and the world airlines' industry body was demanding action.
The prospect of taxes on airlines has also been a spur to voluntary action in other countries.
"I don't think any airline denies we've got emissions but what we're trying to do is improve the situation as much as we can."
It is estimated by the industry that airlines are responsible for between 2 per cent and 3 per cent of carbon emissions.
Cathay Pacific and Dragonair will match the contributions of their passengers dollar for dollar for the first three months of the programme.
Chipping in
* Cathay's voluntary contributions:
* Auckland-Hong Kong return. Economy: $19.80.Business: $29.72.
* Auckland-London return. Economy: $40.62.Business: $60.93.
