Northwest Airlines has launched its EarthCares program with The Nature Conservancy as its founding partner and China as one of its funding targets.

Northwest Airlines is making a US$1 million gift on behalf of its employees and customers to The Nature Conservancy, in equal payments, over the next three years. The airline says the gift comes at the request of NWA's corporate and individual customers, many of whom have voiced support for programs to offset and reduce carbon emissions. EarthCares will be Northwest's program for implementing new environmental initiatives, such as The Nature Conservancy donation, which will protect land in the Mississippi River Valley from future development and sequester and store carbon.

NWA's funds for China will be directed to Pudacuo National Park, China's first national park. Located in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, China's first national park was established with the help of The Nature Conservancy. Pudacuo National Park in China's Yunnan Province will serve as a model for a new Chinese national park system.

The EarthCares program builds on many environmental initiatives that Northwest has already taken. Through NWA's US$6 billion fleet modernization program, the airline has reduced its carbon emissions by 25% since the year 2000.

"The Northwest Airlines EarthCares program is just one way we are doing our part to protect the environment — which is a priority for the airline, our employees and our customers. We are proud to bring together The Nature Conservancy and our customers in support of these strategic environmental land and water conservation projects," said Doug Steenland, Northwest's president and CEO.