As the first ride service to offset its carbon emissions across its entire operation, Blacklane now plans to offset all its emissions since it was founded a decade ago.
Blacklane was the first ride service to be certified as a carbon-neutral organization for offsetting emissions from all rides and business operations starting in 2017.
Now, the company will build on its green initiatives by offsetting the entirety of its carbon emissions since it was founded in 2011.
The global chauffeur company works with Carbon Footprint Ltd, the U.K government’s provider, to offset CO2 emissions.
The company calculates Blacklane’s carbon emissions using measurements including ride distances and office energy consumption to quantify its CO2 emissions.
Blacklane then invests in the Mirkala Wind Power Project run in Pune, India to offset the emissions generated across its business.
This clean energy investment helps maintain 40 wind turbines that contribute to the country’s power grid for its Northern, Eastern, Western, and North-Eastern regions.
Breaking new ground in sustainability
By the end of 2021, Blacklane plans to push further ahead with its green initiatives commitment by offsetting its entire carbon emissions since it was first set up.
Blacklane Co-founder and CEO Dr. Jens Wohltorf said tourism accounted for eight percent of global carbon emissions, with half of that coming from transportation.
“Travel companies should make every effort to limit their environmental impacts. Offsetting emissions over Blacklane’s history is the natural next step to do our part,” he said.
In 2017, when Blacklane first committed to its sustainability goals, Carbon Footprint Ltd client director Dr. Wendy Buckley said Blacklane was “leading the ride services industry”.
“Blacklane shows how to balance the needs of worldwide travelers with the climate and energy needs of the planet,” she said.
Building a “new normal” of electric, premium vehicles
In 2018, Blacklane offered emissions-free rides to its guests via Tesla vehicles in 30 cities around the world.
The Berlin-based company has continued to welcome electric vehicles into its fleet, including the Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi e-tron, and Jaguar I-PACE, to help build a “new normal” in electric, chauffeur-quality rides, Dr Wohltorf said.
“We welcome battery-electric chauffeur-quality vehicles from all premium automakers to our fleet,” Dr. Wohltorf said.
“Supporting business and leisure travelers with green travel options is essential to a healthy planet.”
An industry leader in sustainability
In 2020, Blacklane became a verified member of the non-profit organization Leaders for Climate Action. The decision to join was to unite with other companies committing to business models powered by renewable energy.
Dr. Wohltorf said carbon offsets were a temporary step on the way to cleaner transportation.
“The future of our industry is electric vehicles powered by clean energy. Blacklane is committed to leading travel and transportation by shifting as soon as possible,” he said.
