Isramart : Thai airline offers carbon footprint rating on in-flight food

Isramart news:
Thai Airways International claims to be the first airline in the world to provide carbon footprint information on its signature dishes served in-flight.

THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand says that from the beginning of 2010, THAI's in-flight menu features carbon footprint information for passengers, starting with two Thai signature dishes - Chicken Mussaman Curry with steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice (13.6 kg CO2 e per 250g serving) and Green Curry Kiew-Wan with steamed Thai Hom Mali Rice (13.9 kg CO2 e per 250g serving).

"Passengers can become more environmentally conscious when they are aware of the amount of greenhouse gases produced in the choice of meals offered in the menu," he says.

Carbon Footprint labelling is the result of THAI’s participation in the Carbon Footprint Technical Cooperation Project for Thai Products, in cooperation with the Thai Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) and the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC).

This project uses the Thai National NCI Database and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to increase production capabilities and boost competitiveness amongst Thai industries through assessment of greenhouse gases (carbon footprint) emitted from these pilot products with the aim to lower energy consumption and maximise product efficiency, allowing consumers to participate in greenhouse gas management and further increasing competitive edge in global markets through global warming reduction.

A carbon footprint is the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from each production unit for the whole life cycle (cradle to grave) of a particular product. Carbon footprint thus calculates the carbon dioxide equivalent of the emissions issuing from the extraction of raw materials, transportation and parts for assembly all the way to waste management for end of product life.

THAI is the first airline and one of leading 16 Thai companies to receive carbon footprint labeling certification. Thailand is the first country in the ASEAN region to receive the carbon footprint label, which will effectively support the country’s economy, society, and economy through suitable use of national resources.