As concerns rise within the industry that people will stop flying in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, a host of airlines including British Airlines, Air Canada, and Air New Zealand, are now offering carbon offsets as a way to combat the emissions their domestic flights are creating.
According to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), “the global carbon emissions from commercial flights are rising up to 70% faster than predicted.”
Many experts who regard carbon offsetting with skepticism question the real impact of this solution. They “fear that carbon offsetting may do more harm than good by offering airlines a license to keep polluting and encouraging travellers to continue to choose the most polluting option.”
However they are some time tested solutions for airlines that will surely reduce their carbon footprint like –
- investing in new fuel efficient airplanes
- taxiing on one engine
- removing weight from aircraft
- developing electric technology to optimize efficiency
With ICCT believing that airline emissions may triple by 2050, the airline companies will have to act fast and now.
Reference- The Guardian, ICCT website, Clean Technica