United Airlines has launched CarbonChoice, allowing corporate cargo customers to track and offset the emissions associated with their air freight.

Cargo customers with large-scale, regular shipments on United can receive customised emissions reports, with options to offset their company's carbon footprint through the US airline's partner, Sustainable Travel International.

Jan Krems, United's newly appointed vice president of cargo, said: ”Cargo shippers consistently tell us they're focused on understanding their company's environmental impact, and they've asked us specifically for a large-scale programme like this.

"CarbonChoice provides our customers the detailed data they need to better achieve their own companies' sustainability commitments."

In 2013, United became one of the first airlines to offer an online cargo carbon calculator that customers can use to enter individual shipment data and to track emissions.

United's calculation approach recognises weight, actual flight data related to aircraft type, routes and seasonality, and applies the latest CO2 emissions calculation methodology informed by the Iata's recommended practice for airlines to calculate CO2 emissions from freight transport.