Northwest Airlines launched its EarthCares program as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting the environment and announced The Nature Conservancy as its founding partner.

Northwest Airlines is making a $1 million gift on behalf of its employees and customers to The Nature Conservancy, in equal payments, over the next three years. The gift comes at the request of NWA’s corporate and individual customers, many of whom have voiced support for programs to offset and reduce carbon emissions. EarthCares will be Northwest’s program for implementing new environmental initiatives, such as The Nature Conservancy donation, which will protect land in the Mississippi River Valley from future development and sequester and store carbon.

The Greening of Northwest Airlines

The EarthCares program builds on many environmental initiatives that Northwest has already taken. Through NWA’s $6 billion fleet modernization program, the airline has reduced its carbon emissions by 25% since the year 2000.

As the operator of the largest fleet of A330’s in the world, Northwest Airlines also has the distinction of operating the youngest international fleet of any major international carrier, as well as the youngest trans-Atlantic fleet of any North American or European carrier. The average age of Northwest’s wide-body fleet is now at about 4 years.

The new A330 aircraft are also about 35% more efficient than they aircraft they are replacing.