Do you also want to offset your carbon footprint while flying? As a sustainable and responsible traveler, it’s a good initiative. But have you ever thought about how much CO2 is added to the atmosphere because of your travel or activities? About 60% of travelers do not care about it. Even though the world is the same environment for them as well, in which they themselves live. You will now be happy to hear that many tourists pay for flights to offset the CO2 emissions.
Actually, offset means to balance or compensate for that CO2. You can do an environment friendly activity for this, such as planting trees or supporting renewable energy projects. The thing is that it should absorb the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere or generate clean energy in its place. Let’s see how you can!
Select the Best Carbon Offset Program for Your Flight
When you fly, the airplane burns fuel, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This is called a carbon footprint. In response to this, travelers can choose the best carbon offset program for their flight. This is a way where you pay money to fund activities that help balance the environment back in such ways:
- Reforestation
- Renewable energy projects like solar, wind, or hydro power
- Community projects that provide clean cooking stoves
- Methane gas capture projects
Airlines often offer the option at checkout to offset your flight so that you can pay a little more. United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue Airways all have offset or sustainable aviation fuel programs. Some eco-friendly agencies automatically include carbon offsets in the travel packages.
There are also many websites or online tools where you can calculate the flight emissions yourself and offset them. Just enter your flight details like origin, destination, and class, then the system calculates how much CO2 was emitted. After that, you have to pay an amount accordingly, for example $5 – $20 for an international flight. Don’t worry, this money goes to verified green projects that reduce or absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Directly Offset Via NGOs or Projects
If your flight releases one ton of CO2, you must donate to an NGO or project that can neutralize one ton of carbon dioxide. You will have to pay not the whole, but only your release, so don’t worry. However, NGOs and carbon offset platforms calculate the carbon footprint of your flight via calculators.
Some flight carbon calculators are: Gold Standard, Atmosfair, MyClimate, ClimateCare, and Cool Effect. They tell you how much money you have to donate. After donating, you may get a certificate confirming that you have offset your carbon.
A one-way flight from New York to Los Angeles can create around 0.6 tons of carbon dioxide, and the cost to offset this is roughly $10 – $15. CarbonFund organization in Maryland, USA, offers carbon offsets for individuals, businesses, and travels.
Travel Smarter – Reduce First and Offset Later
It’s essentially a strategy that suggests first reducing the carbon footprint of your flights, and then balancing the remaining impact through carbon offset programs. Make your travel habits a little smarter so that less CO2 is released. Following that, offset the carbon dioxide that will still be released and cannot be avoided.
To reduce first, you can choose direct flights that use less fuel and prefer economy class because the fuel consumption is less in that. Also, pack light; the heavier the plane, the more fuel it will use. Additionally, you can buy carbon credits equal to the emissions of your flight. Keep in mind that how much you reduce, there will be some emissions.
If you just offset your carbon footprint and don’t reduce, the real problem won’t be solved. Plans will still burn as much fuel. Remember that by reducing, you work on direct emissions, and by offsetting, you balance the unavoidable emissions.
Invest in Green Energy for a Better & Sustainable Future
Green energy refers to renewable and clean energy sources, such as:
- Solar power
- Wind energy
- Hydropower
- Biogas or biomass energy
- Geothermal energy
- Tidal & wave energy
Green energy is directly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes SDG 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13, which are directly matched with the green transition. However, you cannot eliminate carbon dioxide directly from your flight; you can neutralize your impacts by investing in green projects.
If you pay $5 – $30, that money will be used for renewable energy projects such as a solar farm project in India or a wind energy project in Africa. You can also use renewable electricity at home, if available.
Support Nature by Planting Trees or Reforestation
Tree planting or reforestation is the best activity to support nature to compensate for your carbon footprint while flying. This means planting new shrubs and trees in areas where forests have been cut down or land has become barren. As trees grow, they absorb CO2 from the air through photosynthesis and release oxygen.
So, you can support nature by funding your airline for its carbon footprint. If an airline doesn’t offer this option, you can donate directly to reforestation NGOs like One Tree Planted, Trees for the Future, or Eden Reforestation Projects. Some platforms offer a monthly membership where you pay a fixed amount and they do regular tree plantation on your behalf.
To conclude this blog post, flying completely carbon-free is not yet possible, but every traveler can play their part. Firstly, reduce the CO2 and then offset unavoidable emissions through certified projects. This way, you will not only explore the world but also protect the environment by making your journeys eco-friendly.