What are the most effective carbon offsetting schemes for aviation?

1 What are carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets are voluntary payments that fund projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere, such as renewable energy, forest conservation, or methane capture. The idea is that by supporting these projects, you can balance out or offset the emissions from your flight. For example, if you fly from New York to London and emit 0.8 tonnes of CO2, you can buy an offset that prevents or removes the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.

2 How do you buy carbon offsets?

When buying carbon offsets for your flight, you have a few options. Airlines may offer the option to add an offset fee to your ticket price, which is then used to fund certified offset projects. Alternatively, you can buy offsets directly from independent providers, such as non-governmental organizations, carbon brokers, or online platforms. However, it’s important to do some research to make sure that the offsets you purchase are credible, transparent, and verifiable. You should consider the project type and location, the standard and certification, and the additionality and permanence. For example, does the project align with your values and preferences? Does it follow a recognized and rigorous protocol such as the Gold Standard? Does it demonstrate that the emission reductions would not have happened without the offset funding? Does it ensure that the emission reductions are not reversed or displaced by other activities?

3 What are the benefits of carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets can have several advantages for both the environment and society. Purchasing carbon offsets can contribute to global climate action and the objectives of the Paris Agreement, as well as raise awareness and responsibility for one's personal carbon footprint. Additionally, carbon offsets can support sustainable development and co-benefits, such as poverty alleviation, health improvement, or education. Lastly, buying carbon offsets can enhance your reputation and trust as a traveler or a business.

4 What are the limitations of carbon offsets?

Carbon offsets may not be the ideal solution for aviation emissions, as they do not reduce the actual emissions from your flight, only compensate for them. Additionally, they can create a false sense of security or a moral license to fly more, and may be subject to fraud, leakage, or double counting. Furthermore, there is the potential for negative social or environmental impacts, such as displacing local people or harming ecosystems. Lastly, there is the possibility that offsets may be insufficient or ineffective in the long term due to the demand for offsets exceeding the supply or the quality.

5 What are the alternatives to carbon offsets?

Although carbon offsets can be a useful tool to mitigate the environmental impact of flying, they should be used as a last resort, after reducing or avoiding your emissions as much as possible. There are other actions to reduce or avoid your impact, such as flying less or choosing other modes of transport, flying with airlines that have lower emission rates, flying economy class or packing light, choosing destinations that are closer or have lower carbon intensity, and taking climate action in other areas of your life. When selecting carbon offsets, it is important to consider quality, credibility, and co-benefits. Ultimately, the most effective way to address aviation emissions is to transform the industry and the culture of flying towards a low-carbon future.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?