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How To Purchase Carbon Offsets for Flights

carbon offset for flights

Sometimes, flying is the best way to travel – but there are steps you can take to lessen the impact of carbon emissions from flight which can generate as much as 986 kg of CO2 per passenger. One such way is to purchase carbon offsets which help to balance out the 2.5% of global carbon emissions caused by air travel. 

That’s what this article is about – how carbon offsets for flights work, and how you can utilize them to fly carbon free (or close to it).

Prepare for takeoff…

What Is a Flight Carbon Offset?

Flight carbon offsets are credits that can be purchased to compensate for the carbon emissions produced by your flight. One credit equals one metric tonne of removed or reduced carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). These credits are generated through verified emission removal projects such as planting trees, investing in renewable energy, or the capture and destruction of methane gas at landfills. 

By choosing to offset your flight emissions, you not only neutralize your environmental impact but also support sustainable development projects that benefit communities and ecosystems around the world.

How Do Carbon Offsets Work?

When you purchase a carbon offset, you’re essentially funding projects that reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, balancing out your own carbon footprint. The process begins with the calculation of how much CO2 your activities (like flying) emit. Once quantified, you buy an equivalent amount of offsets. These offsets are then used to finance various environmental initiatives, each rigorously vetted and certified by third-party standards to ensure they achieve real, quantifiable reductions in greenhouse gasses.

The effectiveness of carbon offsets hinges on the principle of “additionality,” meaning the projects they fund would not have happened without the financial support generated from the sale of offsets. This ensures your contribution leads to extra environmental benefits that surpass what would have occurred otherwise. Through this system, carbon offsets not only help mitigate climate change but also often support advancements in technology, biodiversity conservation, and the wellbeing of local communities by providing jobs, cleaner air, and improved water quality.

carbon offset for flights

How Do I Offset My Carbon Footprint From Flying?

Carbon offsets for flights aren’t as neat and tidy as many travelers would like, but they are still relatively easy to purchase. Here are the general steps for carbon offsetting your flight emissions.

1. Book your flights with airlines that offer carbon offsetting at checkout

To start, make sure you book a flight with an airline that has carbon offsets for travel programs. Most of these allow passengers to compensate for their individual contributions to greenhouse gas emissions by paying for carbon offset programs when booking a flight online.

For example, you can purchase a flight carbon offset from major airlines like Delta, United, and British Airways for less than $10 at the time of booking – so you can do your part for the environment each time you fly. 

Some airlines may also feature specific projects in developing countries that focus on reforestation, waste management, water purification, and other activities that help to repair some of the environmental damage that has been caused by aviation activities. 

2. Calculate your carbon footprint from flying

If your chosen airline does not allow you to carbon offset flights at checkout, then you can start by calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of your flight using online carbon calculators provided by organizations like Atmosfair or MyClimate.

carbon offset for flights

3. Shop for a carbon offsetting project

Once you know how many tonnes of carbon you have contributed to the atmosphere, you can buy carbon offsets for that amount. Most carbon offset projects price per tonne of carbon produced. Choose a carbon offset project certified by reputable carbon standards such as Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard. These projects range from renewable energy initiatives to reforestation efforts, effectively compensating for the emissions produced during your flight.

For example: 

  • Gold Standard is one of the most reputable carbon offset programs globally, recognized for its stringent certification process that ensures projects not only mitigate carbon emissions but also contribute to sustainable development goals. 
  • Cool Effect has a widget that allows you to calculate your flight emissions and then offset those emissions by donating to one of their carbon projects.
  • Terrapass lets you either make a one-time purchase or monthly subscription to purchase offsets from one of their sustainability projects.
  • Climeworks offers a unique approach to carbon offsetting by specializing in direct air capture technology, which physically removes CO2 from the air and stores it safely underground. By subscribing to their service, you’re directly contributing to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide, complementing traditional offsetting methods.
  • Tomorrow’s Air is a forward-thinking initiative that combines travel with climate action. By collaborating with Climeworks, Tomorrow’s Air enables travelers to clean the air of carbon dioxide through direct air capture technology.

Additional Tips to Make Your Flight More Environmentally Friendly

Flying doesn’t have to be so hard on the Earth. With a few simple tips, you can make your flight more environmentally friendly.

There are some other helpful ways to reduce your carbon footprint beyond buying carbon offsets. Booking non-stop flights, choosing to fly economy, and flying on eco-friendly airlines all help to reduce the carbon footprint of flying vs driving.

Let’s take a look at some of these tips to make flying more environmentally friendly.

Take Non-stop Flights  

Trying to save some cash on your next flight? Booking a layover might seem like the way to go, but that extra stop could come with an environmental cost

Planes use more fuel during take off and landing, so every transfer bumps up the carbon footprint of your trip. Try flying directly if you can – or pick transfers in major cities along the same route for less hassle (like laying over in Chicago on your way from LA to Rochester, NY rather than in Virginia or North Carolina).

By being more deliberate when making your travel plans you can reduce the carbon emissions emitted into the environment.

Book Economy Class 

Tempting as it is to upgrade your seat when you fly if reducing your carbon emissions is on your mind – fly in economy. 

A full economy class means there’s less fuel being used per passenger which lowers the co2 emissions per flight per person. Which is awesome since it’s us human people who are responsible for damn near all the greenhouse gas emissions of the past 150 years. Cars weren’t even invented that far back. People flying was a laughable joke. That’s a century and a half of environmental harm that you’re doing your part to reduce by sacrificing legroom for more trees in the Amazon.  

When you pair an economy class plane ticket with a carbon offset program – you are really flying in terms of your dedication to the planet! You may even be able to travel net zero vs carbon neutral – meaning you’re hopping across the country, across the pond, or even across the world while producing as little carbon as possible, not just offsetting your carbon emissions. 

Choose Eco Friendly Airlines

Choosing an eco-friendly airline is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint when you’re hitting the skies. When deciding which airline to fly with, look for one that has a fleet of newer, mid-size planes and routinely operates fully booked flights. These are indicators that a company is committed to reducing their carbon emissions. 

Committing to Change

Air travel can be an eco-friendly endeavor when done responsibly. By buying carbon offsets for flights, taking non-stop flights whenever possible, booking economy class, and selecting airlines that are committed to reducing emissions – you can make sure your air journeys aren’t too hard on Mother Nature. 

This world is huge and exciting and worth every penny spent exploring. And when you utilize these air travel tips to reduce your carbon footprint and purchase carbon offsets for air travel, you can see the world in eco-friendly style. 

Find out how to calculate your personal carbon footprint and learn more tips about reducing your carbon footprint.

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