British Airways is due to receive more than £6 million from the government after becoming the world's first airline to take part in a new scheme which starts today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

BA has committed to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by 125,000 tonnes over the five years of the scheme to 2006. In return the government has agreed to make more than £6.5 million in incentive payments if the annual reduction targets are met over that period.

Forum Response: British Airways

Hugh Somerville, head of the sustainable business unit at British Airways, told ePolitix.com: "British Airways has played a leading role among the world's airlines in discussing how we can all contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.

"It is great news that the UK has become the first country to set up an economy wide CO2 emissions trading scheme which allows businesses from a true cross section of industries to trade and manage their CO2 emissions as a group.

"British Airways is the only airline to be taking part in the first phase of the initiative and we hope this will place us in a strong position when international emissions trading comes within a few years.

"We are confident that we can meet all of our prescribed targets over the next five years and receive our instalments of around £1.3 million per year.

"This scheme is a classic example of what is good for the environment can also be good for business."