ZIPAIR Achieves World’s First Carbon Neutral Certification in Aviation with Espool Blue Dot Green

ZIPAIR Achieves World’s First Carbon Neutrality Certification in Aviation

In an impressive feat for the aviation industry, ZIPAIR Tokyo has become the first airline in the world to obtain third-party certification for carbon neutrality, following the ISO 14068-1:2023 standards, with the support of Espool Blue Dot Green. This breakthrough was finalized on May 15, 2025, after successfully passing an international certification audit conducted by BSI Group Japan.

Espool Blue Dot Green, a leading environmental consulting firm located in Tokyo, guided ZIPAIR through the rigorous processes required for certification. ISO 14068-1:2023 establishes international principles and requirements for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality.

Recognizing the significant environmental impact of air transportation, ZIPAIR has proactively engaged in initiatives to promote sustainability, such as utilizing renewable energy and addressing plastic reduction. To achieve their commitment to fostering a sustainable society, ZIPAIR needed to develop a comprehensive emissions reduction plan, aligned with ISO 14068-1:2023, covering all their flight routes. This endeavor required a collaboration with Espool Blue Dot Green, which possesses a robust track record in third-party verification and expertise in carbon offsetting.

The support from Espool Blue Dot Green involved a structured four-step approach:
1. Policy Development and Emission Reduction Planning: Crafting clear policies and actionable plans for reducing emissions was the initial step.
2. Carbon Footprint Calculation: Evaluating the carbon footprint (CFP) of ZIPAIR’s airline services ensured an accurate measurement of emissions.
3. Selection and Purchase of Carbon Credits: Identifying and acquiring suitable carbon credits for effective offsetting was critical to meeting international standards.
4. Application and Verification for ISO 14068-1:2023: Espool Blue Dot Green’s expertise facilitated the application process, ensuring compliance with verification requirements.

Attaining carbon neutrality requires precise emissions assessments, guided by international standards such as ISO 14067:2018 and ISO 14068-1:2023. Espool Blue Dot Green prides itself on its team of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) experts, who bring extensive experience from over 170 completed projects to deliver tailored support. Their comprehensive network enabled the identification of appropriate carbon credits, while their participation in BSI’s Associate Consultant Program (ACP) ensured a thorough understanding of the certification requirements, further enhancing the support provided to ZIPAIR.

Moving forward, Espool Blue Dot Green is committed to leveraging its experience and specialized knowledge to assist more companies in achieving ISO 14068-1:2023 certification, thereby promoting sustainable management practices across diverse industries.

ISO 14068-1:2023 is a landmark standard aimed at eliminating ambiguous claims of carbon neutrality and enhancing the accuracy and transparency of carbon neutrality declarations. Based on PAS 2060, it was formalized as an ISO standard on November 30, 2023. By attaining ISO 14068-1:2023 certification, companies can bolster the credibility of their sustainability claims.

As organizations like Yamato Transport and Topan Edge have also begun to obtain this certification, the trend of pursuing carbon neutrality in Japan is gaining momentum. To validate carbon neutrality, businesses first need to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that arise from their products, services, events, or operational activities using recognized methodologies. After setting and implementing reduction targets, any remaining emissions can be offset through the acquisition of carbon credits, ultimately allowing for formal claims of carbon neutrality.

Espool Blue Dot Green is headquartered in Tokyo and was established in November 2011. Their mission continues to empower businesses on their sustainability journeys through expert consulting and effective environmental management strategies.