Lufthansa is warning that airfares may be on the rise as the European Union’s (EU) controversial Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) comes into effect in 2012.

The German carrier notes that beginning this year, all airlines are required to hold emission rights in the form of CO2 certificates for flights to and from Europe.

In 2012, 82% of the necessary certificates will be awarded to airlines free of charge, however airlines will have to purchase another 15% of the certificates, with 3% being reserved for new airlines.

As these allocations are based on average emissions for the years 2004 to 2006, the Lufthansa Group will have to buy at least 35% of the certificates it needs to represent its growth in recent years.

And based on the average trend in certificate prices, Lufthansa expects to incur additional expenses of EUR 130 million in 2012.

As competition is tough, especially from non-EU companies whose operations are only subject to limited emissions trading rules, Lufthansa will redirect the costs via higher ticket prices, as recommended by the EU.

Lufthansa indicates that it will include the cost of purchasing the certificates in its existing fuel surcharge as of the beginning of 2012. However, it has no immediate plans to increase this surcharge.

Carsten Spohr, member of the executive board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, commented: “Climate change is a global challenge. This means we also need a global solution. The incorporation of airlines in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme means that European operators are now facing additional costs which will make flying within and via Europe more expensive for passengers. It will also distort competition and impact on the sustainability of the aviation industry if it proves impossible to implement with the competitive neutrality promised by policy makers.”

However Spohr added that “given the huge resistance at an international level, it is unclear how the situation will develop.”

Lufthansa last raised its fuel surcharge for European and long-haul flights on Dec. 15 by three to 10 Euros. In the future, the surcharge will reflect both the price of oil and the cost of acquiring emission rights. (http://www.lufthansa.com)

WestJet recently released its Responsible Growth Review as part of its broader social responsibility platform. The new report highlights some of the ways WestJet demonstrated its commitment to corporate responsibility in 2011 and also shares innovative solutions the airline is implementing while acknowledging some of the challenges the airline industry faces relating to the environment.

The report can be viewed online by clicking on the “responsible growth” link available at http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/about/environment/index.shtml

“Corporate social responsibility is becoming increasingly important to shareholders, consumers and employees,” said Mike McNaney, WestJet vice-president, environment and regulatory affairs. “This review is a precursor to WestJet’s 2012 corporate social responsibility report which will be completed using the the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. As a business that puts people first, we are committed to sharing the facts about how we are growing our airline responsibly with our guests, WestJetters, investors and the communities we serve.”

WestJet also recently teamed up with Carbonzero, a leading Canadian carbon offsetter. Guests can click on the link provided in their email confirmation to visit http://www.carbonzero.ca to offset their air travel.

“We are excited to launch our new program with Carbonzero,” continued Mike McNaney. “Many of our guests are looking for an opportunity to offset their carbon footprint and we are confident that Carbonzero has quality offset programs, based in Canada, which will provide our guests with that opportunity.”

WestJet’s many environmental initiatives are bearing fruit. WestJet recently announced that the WestJet Campus office building in Calgary has achieved a gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

For the second year in a row, Transat Canada has presented Palace Resorts with its Blue Classification award for sanitation.

The award was presented following a “rigorous inspection” of Palace Resorts’ properties. Transat Canada’s sanitation inspection zones included the hotel lobby, public areas, guest rooms, pools, kids club, bars and discotheques, restaurants, dining and the kitchen.

Palace Resorts has 11 all-inclusive properties in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Riviera Nayarit and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Visit http://www.palaceresorts.com for more.

The Westin Verasa Napa is now participating in two eco-conscious programs — Starwood’s Make a Green Choice as well as with the Clean the World Foundation — which collects, sanitizes and distributes recycled hotel soaps and bottled amenities to people in need around the world.

As a partner hotel with Clean the World Foundation, The Westin Verasa Napa will now support the organization’s goal of reducing waste created by discarded soap and shampoo products and preventing the millions of deaths caused by hygiene-related illnesses worldwide.

Since its inception in 2009, the organization has distributed recycled soap products to children and families in need in the United States and more than 40 other countries, including Haiti, Japan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, India, Honduras, Mexico and Albania.

As well, the Westin Verasa is now a participating property in Starwood’s Make a Green Choice program, which provides another avenue for guests to reduce the hotel’s environmental footprint.

Through this program, guests can opt out of having linens and towels replaced every day, and can also choose not to have daily housekeeping done.

The Westin Verasa has also implemented numerous eco-friendly programs to diminish its environmental footprint. A sampling of some of its new green practices and improvements includes: organic and hazardous waste management; high-efficiency lighting (LEDs and CFLs), GreenVent technology for kitchen exhaust systems, a comprehensive recycling and composting program; and the complete elimination of Styrofoam from the property.

Go to http://www.starwoodhotels.com for more.

The Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa has committed itself to providing an environmentally responsible vacation that doesn’t compromise the vacation experience.

The resort recently began using all-green chemicals for cleaning its 118 guest rooms. The new products are similar in cleaning performance but help reduce the resort’s total carbon footprint. By early next year, the resort will be participating in the Global Soap Project, a donation program for recovering discarded toiletries, such as soap, shampoo and conditioner. In-room amenities are reprocessed into new bars and products, which are then distributed to vulnerable populations throughout the world.

In August 2010, Hyatt Key West launched a “Meet and Be Green” initiative, which encourages meeting planners and attendees to make green choices for their meetings. Recommended efforts include printing materials locally, minimizing shipping, eliminating disposable water bottles and maintaining room temperatures at an appropriate level.

The resort also participates in Hyatt’s corporate green program, which allows guests to opt in to green initiatives that save previous water resources. Bed linens are changed every third day of the stay or by request. By hanging towels rather than placing them on the floor, guests can alert housekeeping that they wish to reuse them rather than receiving fresh towels for that day.

For more, go to http://www.keywest.hyatt.com .