The Travel Scene: Off-Setting Your Carbon Footprint

In celebration of World Tourism Day at Travel Massive in Sydney last Fall we held an intimate event focused on ethical travel. In its simplest definition, ethical travel is respectful travel, which takes into account the traveler’s impact on the place and people visited. Travel Massive facilitated a conversation between 20 travel insiders in the field of responsible travel at the Travel Café in Bondi Beach. We caught up with one of the speakers Marty Burda of Climate Friendly who is showing travellers and businesses how they can leave a more positive eco-footprint on the road.

One of the best ways Marty says we can reduce carbon emissions is through air travel. In 2013, air travel produced 705 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). Luckily, airlines have started introducing carbon offsets, which consumers can purchase when they buy certain flights but what happens when you tick the box?

Basically, one carbon offset for a flight is applied to one ton of avoided emissions made possible through a project such as a wind farm, a small hydro initiative, a biomass project, the introduction of efficient cook stoves, or avoided deforestation.

There are many other ways we can reduce our carbon footprint. Climate Friendly also has a cool calculator on their website to calculate your own footprint.

1. Offset your flight emissions, by ticking the box when making a booking or through your travel agent.

2. Minimise backtracking. Plan your trip and find the most efficient and shortest routes of getting to your destinations.

3. Take public transport when available – it’s cheaper and better for the environment.

4. Eat local, organic food which is in season – it has a lower carbon footprint, due to less pesticides or fertilisers used and less transport. It also tastes better and is better for you.

5. Pack light – every extra kg of weight requires more fuel to move it, which quickly adds up, especially in long haul flights.