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 balance out your carbon emissions. One credit equals one metric ton of removed or reduced carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). These credits are generated through verified emission reduction projects such as planting trees, investing in renewable energy, or the capture and destruction of methane gas at landfills.
Ever Wondered: How Can I Make My Flight More Environmentally Friendly?
By buying carbon offsets for flights, you’re helping to fund emission reduction projects and you’re supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. And the best part is that 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.
How Do I Offset My Carbon Footprint From Flying?
Figuring out how to offset your carbon footprint from flying vs driving might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s surprisingly easy and straightforward. Carbon offsets for flights are essentially a way for people to counteract some of their own climate impact by investing in renewable energy, reforestation, and other projects that help balance out the environmental harm.
Certified Carbon Offset Organizations
Certified Carbon Offset Organizations are organizations that have been approved by national or international governmental agencies to organize their carbon offset benefits through reduction activities, like planting trees or renewable energy projects.
These organizations provide us with the opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint and make smarter, greener choices for our planet every day.
Carbon Offsets for Travel Programs
When planning a vacation, the carbon footprint of flying vs driving should always be considered. Luckily, there are carbon offset programs designed to help travelers make mindful and responsible decisions.
Carbon offsets for travel programs allow travelers to counterbalance the emissions caused by their flight – usually in the form of an airline-provided program that pays for a reforestation or climate-protection project somewhere else in the world. These travel programs are easy to opt into when booking flights and transportation, so you can rest assured that you’re doing your part for the planet.
Some of the major airlines that currently offer carbon offset services include United Airlines, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Delta, and Air Canada.
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.
To start, make sure you book a flight with an airline that has carbon offsets for travel programs. Most of these allow passengers to balance out their individual contributions to greenhouse gas emissions by paying for carbon offset programs when booking a flight online. Doing so helps to lower the overall amount of harm caused by the flight itself.
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.
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 greenhouse gasses 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.
