Could Carbon-Removal Tech Make Travel More Sustainable
A new wave of carbon-offsetting platforms invites consumers to remove emissions instantly and permanently. Could travellers be the key to their success?
If your 2020 travel plans were cancelled by the coronavirus, carbon offsetting is probably the last thing on your mind. As few as 1% of airline passengers participated in voluntary carbon offsetting before virus-induced travel restrictions took hold, according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), indicating that purchasing carbon "credits" from your airline or a certified carbon offsetting organisation to compensate for your...
If your 2020 travel plans were cancelled by the coronavirus, carbon offsetting is probably the last thing on your mind. As few as 1% of airline passengers participated in voluntary carbon offsetting before virus-induced travel restrictions took hold, according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), indicating that purchasing carbon "credits" from your airline or a certified carbon offsetting organisation to compensate for your travel emissions likely wasn't high on your priority list to begin with.
Yet amid predictions that the drop in global emissions recorded during coronavirus shutdowns may be shortlived, and that the economic impacts of the virus may slow efforts to reduce aviation emissions long term, voluntary carbon offsetting will arguably be more important than ever when the international travel industry is firing on all engines again.
Could a new form of carbon offsetting help to increase traveller participation?