International taxes on aircraft emissions will come into effect soon and Gulf airlines are now partnering with academic institutions and industry in order to reduce their carbon footprint.  Under the EU emissions trading scheme, all airlines will probably have to pay emissions tax for flights to Europe from 2012. Airlines are required to submit emission monitoring plans to EU authorities by September this year. 

Gulf Air is developing a program to offer passengers the option of offsetting carbon emissions from their flight by supporting a hydroelectric project in Brazil.  Etihad Airways and Masdar in Abu Dhabi are researching alternative biofuels.  In a few months Qatar airways will flight test a new fuel that will burn substantially cleaner than conventional jet fuel.