Offset Air Travel

By Indira Balkisson and Tom Webster

Given the climate emergency, carbon offsets should be an element of a larger personal or business greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy, as is suggested in the Piedmont Climate Challenge and Climate Action Plan 2.0. When further GHG emission reductions are not possible, then purchase of quality carbon credits should be considered.

Here is a list of carbon offset vendors that sell quality carbon credits for air travel, transportation and other activities:

• CoolEffect.org – airline + others via CoolEffect or other calculators; select projects

• Atmosfair – airline + designated amount (from other calculators); select projects

• Sustainable Travel International – airline only; online calculator

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – airline only

• RMI Good Traveler – airline only; Buy at selected airports; online calculator

The carbon footprint calculators below are helpful in determining an individual or household’s carbon footprint.

• CoolClimate – Comprehensive carbon footprint calculator: transportation, household, food, shopping; offsets not directly supported

• The Nature Conservancy Carbon Footprint Calculator (based on CoolClimate)

• EPA – Online calculator: household, transportation, waste

 For a more detailed look at carbon offsets, read our article HERE.