Virgin Blue Airlines were joined with an internationally acclaimed scientist, conservationist, author and Chairman of Copenhagen Climate Council, Professor Tim Flannery, to honour the purchaser of the airline’s one millionth seat to have its carbon emissions offset since the launch of Virgin Blue’s Carbon Offset Program in 2007.

Virgin Blue was the first airline in the world to have a Government-certified Carbon Offset Program. Adhering to the high standards required to be certified under the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly Program has contributed to the success of the program and to Guest confidence in choosing to offset their flights with the airline.

While the one millionth offset seat sector was flown late July, the presentation to Ms Helen Townley was held over until today so that Ms Townley could have the honour of receiving acknowledgement in person from Australia’s most eminent environmentalist. Professor Flannery donated his time as a means of helping Virgin Blue encourage all air travellers to offset the emissions of the flights.

Professor Flannery said; “I believe it’s important for people to address climate changes through the everyday decisions – to take individual responsibility for minimising our impacts on the environment – because that’s the only way we’ll get a committed constituency for greater political action. For many of us in the world today, no matter how much we genuinely care about this issue, air travel is something we cannot avoid as part of our working lives. All it takes is ticking a box and spending an extra dollar or two to offset the emissions relating to your flight. That is why I have agreed to take the time today to personally thank Ms Townley for being an example to us all. It is the smallest things we do that can have the greatest cumulative effect.”

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