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Australian airline Qantas will provide customers with the option of offsetting their flights after receiving certification from the government.

The carrier has been given approval under Australia's Greenhouse Friendly initiative to provide carbon-neutral flights both domestically and internationally.

Malcolm Turnbull, minister for the environment and water resources, said the certification was a great achievement' for the group and good news for travellers.

'As a result of this action, Australia is now the only country in the world where all of our airlines offer customers the option of flying carbon-neutral,' he added.

'Travellers will be offered the option to purchase a Greenhouse Friendly carbon-neutral flight. The price will not be substantially higher, but it will make a significant difference to the environment.'

The Qantas group will launch the initiative on 19 September by offsetting all travel on Qantas and Jetstar planes – this will involve around 950 flights carrying over 100,000 passengers and save around 40,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions.

All staff business air travel will also be offset by the group from now on, saving around 100,000 tonnes in emissions every year.

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