On this page, we outline alternatives to flying and discuss how – if you have no choice but to fly – you can use carbon offsetting schemes to reclaim some of your carbon emissions.
Impacts of flying
Aviation is becoming an increasingly contentious issue in the UK. Recent government decisions to increase airport capacity are at odds with the UK Committee on Climate Change’s warning that continued expansion of aviation is incompatible with long-term climate targets. If current trends continue, emissions from aviation could make up over half of the UK carbon budget in 2050.
Carbon calculators such as the EcoPassenger website highlight just how quickly emissions from air travel can dominate your carbon footprint. As an illustration, a flight from London to Amsterdam produces the equivalent of over 120 kg of the climate change-causing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, per passenger. In contrast, the equivalent train journey (via Brussels) produces just 12 kg per passenger. It would take the average household in southeast England over 40 days to produce the same amount of carbon dioxide through their electricity usage as the London-Amsterdam flight.
Carbon calculators such as the EcoPassenger website highlight just how quickly emissions from air travel can dominate your carbon footprint. As an illustration, a flight from London to Amsterdam produces the equivalent of over 120 kg of the climate change-causing greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, per passenger. In contrast, the equivalent train journey (via Brussels) produces just 12 kg per passenger. It would take the average household in southeast England over 40 days to produce the same amount of carbon dioxide through their electricity usage as the London-Amsterdam flight.
Comparison of the environmental impact of travelling by rail, car and aircraft from central London to central Amsterdam (Source: EcoPassenger; values for flying are for London City to Schiphol, and include travel to/from the airport).
Alternatives to flying
Choosing to fly less is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make to help avert the climate crisis. Fortunately, there are alternatives, so flying no longer needs to be the default option for overseas travel. It has always been possible to travel within Europe by train. In many cases, journey times are not much longer than a point-to-point trip by aircraft.
Train travel can be more expensive than flying. However, when comparing prices for longer journeys, it is worth remembering the money saved on overnight accommodation at your destination. A network of sleeper trains criss-crosses Europe, making train travel a time-efficient way to get to destinations such as Prague and Venice. The difference in carbon emissions is huge. Getting the train instead of flying from London to Prague saves 153 kg of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of powering your home for two months.
Despite all the benefits, if you must make the arrangements yourself, booking train travel across multiple countries can be confusing, and it can be difficult to know if you are getting the best price. Fortunately, there are people who have already done the hard work for you. The Man in Seat 61 website, for example, has compiled incredible details on the best and cheapest way to travel to almost anywhere in Europe, and beyond, by train. It’s well worth a look when you are planning your next holiday or business trip. If money is less of an issue, The Trainline also allows you to book Europe-wide rail tickets.
Train travel can be more expensive than flying. However, when comparing prices for longer journeys, it is worth remembering the money saved on overnight accommodation at your destination. A network of sleeper trains criss-crosses Europe, making train travel a time-efficient way to get to destinations such as Prague and Venice. The difference in carbon emissions is huge. Getting the train instead of flying from London to Prague saves 153 kg of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of powering your home for two months.
Despite all the benefits, if you must make the arrangements yourself, booking train travel across multiple countries can be confusing, and it can be difficult to know if you are getting the best price. Fortunately, there are people who have already done the hard work for you. The Man in Seat 61 website, for example, has compiled incredible details on the best and cheapest way to travel to almost anywhere in Europe, and beyond, by train. It’s well worth a look when you are planning your next holiday or business trip. If money is less of an issue, The Trainline also allows you to book Europe-wide rail tickets.
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Operational high-speed rain lines in Europe (Source: Wikipedia).
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Carbon offsetting
There are many destinations that can only be reached by flying. If you have to fly, and you can afford to do so, it is worth considering making an additional payment to “offset” your carbon emissions. Carbon offsetting involves the purchase of 'carbon credits', in an amount equivalent to the carbon emissions that your journey will create. Most airlines offer the option to purchase carbon credits when you buy your ticket. Alternatively, you could buy credits directly. Have a look at the Carbon Offset Guide produced by the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute if you want to know more.
The money from carbon offsetting is used for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through climate protection projects elsewhere in the world. In other words, the finance you provide by purchasing carbon credits helps drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. By supporting high impact projects, you not only offset your emissions but can help communities on the front line of climate change grow in a sustainable way.
The money from carbon offsetting is used for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through climate protection projects elsewhere in the world. In other words, the finance you provide by purchasing carbon credits helps drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. By supporting high impact projects, you not only offset your emissions but can help communities on the front line of climate change grow in a sustainable way.
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The basics of carbon offsetting (Source: Sustainable Travel International).
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The science behind carbon offsetting is based on the fact that climate change is a global problem: where a tonne of carbon dioxide is emitted or reduced is irrelevant for the atmosphere. This means that a tonne of carbon dioxide reduced through a solar panel project in Tanzania has the same environmental value as one reduced through a biogas or forestry project in northern India.
Critics of offsetting claim that purchasing carbon credits provides no incentive for people to change behaviour and reduce their emissions. This is true – people can offset and maintain a carbon intensive lifestyle. Critics also – correctly – identify that offsetting alone will not solve climate change. However, carbon offsetting offers a way to be accountable for your climate impact and take climate action beyond your own area of influence.
Critics of offsetting claim that purchasing carbon credits provides no incentive for people to change behaviour and reduce their emissions. This is true – people can offset and maintain a carbon intensive lifestyle. Critics also – correctly – identify that offsetting alone will not solve climate change. However, carbon offsetting offers a way to be accountable for your climate impact and take climate action beyond your own area of influence.
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Balancing your emissions through carbon offsetting (Source: Sustainable Travel International).
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What to look for in a carbon offsetting scheme
There are two key things to look out for in any offsetting scheme to ensure that your money delivers as much as it can.
Is the carbon credit scheme certified by an offsetting standard body?
Probably the simplest approach is to check that the carbon credit scheme is approved by an offsetting standard body. According to the Sustain Life website, the “Big Five” standards bodies are:
Will the carbon credits fund projects that align with your environmental and social interests?
If you have the option, looking beyond the carbon reduction benefits of a carbon credit scheme can help you align your choice of offset with your personal environmental and social interests. Two offsetting projects that sequester the same amount of carbon can have completely different associated benefits. One may provide social benefits, like financing the replacement of coal cooking stoves with ones powered by renewable energy; another could offer something like increased biodiversity, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, or wildlife protection.
Websites such as myclimate.org give you the option to support sustainable development projects in general, or choose the region or even the specific project that benefits from your carbon credits.
Is the carbon credit scheme certified by an offsetting standard body?
Probably the simplest approach is to check that the carbon credit scheme is approved by an offsetting standard body. According to the Sustain Life website, the “Big Five” standards bodies are:
- Climate Action Reserve (CAR) – The premier offset standard for the North American carbon market.
- Verra’s Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) – Verra is a non-profit organisation that operates the Verra registry and several standards.
- American Carbon Registry (ACR) – A non-profit organisation and the first voluntary greenhouse gas registry.
- Gold Standard (GS) – General certification standard created by the WWF.
- Plan Vivo – Standard for projects that support communities and smallholders in the developing world.
Will the carbon credits fund projects that align with your environmental and social interests?
If you have the option, looking beyond the carbon reduction benefits of a carbon credit scheme can help you align your choice of offset with your personal environmental and social interests. Two offsetting projects that sequester the same amount of carbon can have completely different associated benefits. One may provide social benefits, like financing the replacement of coal cooking stoves with ones powered by renewable energy; another could offer something like increased biodiversity, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, or wildlife protection.
Websites such as myclimate.org give you the option to support sustainable development projects in general, or choose the region or even the specific project that benefits from your carbon credits.