Dutch airline KLM has advised its passengers to fly less and take the train instead in an eye-catching effort to boost its environmental credentials.

In a campaign entitled 'Fly Responsibly', KLM asks its customers: 'Do you always have to meet face to face?' and 'Could you take the train instead?'.

The Dutch flag carrier has vowed to 'do business in a more sustainable way' amid growing pressure on airlines to limit their impact on the planet.

Politicians are also facing ever greater demands to take action to prevent climate disaster - prompting airlines into action in an effort to prove that they can fix the problem without new taxes and regulations.

Fly Responsibly: KLM has advised its passengers to seek alternatives to flying as airlines try to prove their environmental credentials and head off government regulations

Dutch flag carrier KLM has vowed to 'do business in a more sustainable way' amid growing pressure on airlines to limit their impact on the planet (a KLM plane is pictured in a file photo)

Advising passengers to 'explore other travel options', the airline said: 'In some cases, railway or other modes of transportation can be more sustainable than flying, especially for short distances such as within Europe.

'Do you know that flying from Amsterdam to Brussels takes longer than going by train?​

'KLM is a supporter of sustainable alternative models of transport for short distances instead of short-haul flights.

'Even the smallest actions can make a serious impact. Every choice you make matters, so consider them carefully.'

Backing the publicity drive, KLM chief executive Pieter Elbers said: 'When we started 100 years ago, our major concern was your safety. Little did we know about the impact we would have on the environment.

'Today we know aviation comes with another big responsibility - to make sure our children have a planet to explore, as well.

'We invite the aviation industry to join us in making the world aware of our shared responsibility. And, we invite all air travellers to make responsible decisions about flying.'

The airline said it was working on sustainable fuel production, using cooking oil and industry waste, in order to reduce its carbon footprint.

The Dutch airline is asking passengers whether they could take the train instead of flying - pointing out quicker journey times between some cities

Airline bosses also asked customers if they could avoid unnecessary flights if they do not need to meet people face to face

It also invites passengers to make a donation called CO2ZERO in order to pay for the environmental impact of their flight.

KLM says the money is used towards planting tropical forests which 'also promote the local workforce'.

German airline Lufthansa has a similar voluntary contribution scheme.

Airlines are expected to produce some 930million tons of carbon dioxide this year, more than an industrial country such as Germany.

This week, France unveiled a new charge on plane tickets, promising to use the revenue to fund environment-friendly alternatives.

The 'ecotax' costing up to €18 will apply to most flights departing in France, the country's transport minister said on Tuesday.

The only exceptions will be for domestic flights to Corsica and France's overseas territories, and connecting flights that pass through France.

Industry group IATA called the new taxes 'misguided', saying: 'National taxes will do nothing to assist the aviation industry in its sustainability efforts.'

The industry argues that flying only makes up a small share of greenhouse gas emissions and that planes are becoming ever more efficient.