For countries that can’t afford to entirely stop air travel, carbon off-setting is a proposed solution to keep planes in the sky and passengers in seats.
The Swedish movement flygskam (flight shame) has gained traction in Europe and aims to create a sense of unease about using this CO2-emission heavy form of transport. Well-known climate activists like Greta Thunberg have stopped flying and are opting to use trains to get around instead.
This proves a problem for those not based in Europe, which is easily connected by trains and busses. It also poses an economic threat to remote countries like South Africa which rely on planes to bring tourists, who make up a significant chunk of the country’s income. One of the ways proposed to mitigate the airplanes’ carbon footprint is through carbon offsetting projects.
‘Since the demand to fly is still growing, especially in developing markets like Africa, this is a huge challenge. We will meet this challenge through new technology, sustainable fuels and more efficient air-traffic routes. In the short term, offsetting is a way for the industry to play a bigger part in reducing carbon emissions,’ International Air Transport Association (Iata) spokesperson Chris Goater told Southern and East African Tourism Update.
One initiative that has been adopted by some airlines is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia). Developed by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, this scheme encourages airlines to commit to implementing carbon off-setting projects to mitigate their emissions. The proposed South African Carbon Tax Bill also includes incentives for businesses which implement such projects.
The South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and South Africa Tourism launched their own carbon offsetting initiative this year. This project involved planting masses of spekboom to soak up excessive carbon emissions.
Also read: Spekboom project to reduce tourism industry’s carbon footprint
Some international airlines have initiated projects which give passengers the option of offsetting their personal footprint through a donation scheme. Lufthansa passengers the option to compensate for their CO2 emissions produced by their journeys by making a voluntary donation to a climate protection organisation. Similar donation schemes have also been initiated by other major airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia.
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