Flight Carbon Offsetting Explained: What It Is & How It Works
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Vanessa Susanto
Why Should You Care About Flight Emissions?
Air travel is one of the fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions which contributed approximately 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions annually. A single flight from London to New York emits roughly 1 ton of CO₂ per passenger in economy class, which is more than the average person in some countries emits in an entire year. Emissions increase significantly when passengers upgrade their seats, since luxury cabins use more space to accommodate fewer passengers. Understanding the real environmental cost of air travel is critical as aviation remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize.
The aviation industry has introduced measures like the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which is a voluntary scheme to offset emissions from international flights. While initiatives like this are promising, they don’t fully address the sector’s growing emissions. Travelers should understand their flight’s impact and explore ways to minimize it.
How to Calculate Your Flight's Impact
Tools developed by our AtmosOffset team, such as the one created for the B20 Summit in 2022, enable event participants to estimate the environmental impact of their flights. These calculators take into account factors like distance, aircraft type, and seating class to provide accurate emissions estimates. There are also some free tools that you can get through online to calculate your emission. Learn more from our AtmosOffset team
For example, long-haul flights tend to emit more CO₂ per passenger due to the amount of fuel burned during takeoff and landing, while layovers can further increase emissions because of the added distances. Understanding these numbers helps travelers make informed decisions, whether choosing a lower-impact route or offsetting their emissions through trusted programs.
Airlines Approach to Reduce Emissions
Airlines take various approaches to promote sustainable travel. British Airways has partnered up with carbon project developers, making them the largest carbon removals purchaser in the UK and the largest airline purchaser of carbon removals. Meanwhile, easyJet focuses on reducing emissions through investments in efficient aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel, and operational improvements. However, travelers should remain cautious as marketing claims like "carbon-neutral flights" can be misleading unless supported by verified offsets.
Smart Ways to Reduce Your Impact
Reducing your travel footprint goes beyond carbon offsets. Choose trains over short-haul flights where possible. For instance, the Eurostar from London to Paris emits 90% less CO₂ per passenger compared to a flight. When flying is unavoidable, booking non-stop flights can minimize emissions by reducing fuel-intensive takeoffs and landings.
Small changes in booking habits, such as choosing economy class or selecting airlines that prioritize fuel-efficient aircraft, can also make a difference. If your schedule allows, flying midweek often results in fewer passengers which can improve aircraft efficiency.
Conclusion
Flight emissions are a serious climate concern, but offsetting them is a practical way to take action. By understanding aviation’s carbon impact and choosing credible offset programs, travelers can help balance the environmental cost of their journeys. Consider offsetting through Fairatmos, a platform offering transparent and certified programs that drive real impact.
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References
What share of global CO₂ emissions come from aviation? - Our World in Data
EasyJet to ditch landmark carbon offsetting scheme
