Turns out, they don’t. But maybe they do? Like almost everything else related to the environment, it’s complicated. Luckily, we’re here to help break it down.

Even if we’re missing the bulk of engineering involved in the miracle of human flight, the facts are facts. It takes an enormous amount of energy to fly a plane. To put it into perspective, air travel accounts for over 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018 alone, commercial airlines burned 94 billion gallons of fossil fuel. Eek!

Airlines know that you feel this way, so many offer “carbon offsets” as an add on to your ticket price. Some feature a nifty calculator that shows the number of miles you’ll fly translated to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. With some addition and subtraction behind the scenes, they tell you how much extra money you should pay to offset those emissions.

So you can just pay to stop your carbon emissions?

Not at all. We wish it were that easy! In reality, this seemingly very official calculation is just a loose estimate. And the money doesn’t stop the plane from burning fossil fuels, it’s a suggested donation to organisations that work to minimise greenhouse gasses. Ultimately, the same amount of carbon dioxide is going to be released on your flight whether you choose to offset or not.

Who are these organisations?

Carbon offset projects usually fall into two categories: forestry and renewable energy. The former involves planting trees, protecting forested lands and the like. The latter is usually research focused, working to create more sustainable solutions for carbon-packed fossil fuels.

How do I know these organisations are doing good work?

You have to do a little research. Sadly, this is a new concept that doesn’t have a whole lot of regulation. Make sure that the program you choose to fund is third-party verified and they clearly outline how they track their impact. The Washington Post gives this helpful advice:

“Emission reductions should be tagged so that each metric ton gets a unique serial number — without one, the same emissions reductions could get sold over and over. You also need to look for projects that are truly additional, meaning it wasn’t some already-existing effort now being advertised as a carbon offset.”

Ethical Consumer advises choosing an individual project to fund rather than letting the airline pick, so you know exactly where your money’s going. Choosing a specific project usually means paying more, but you’ll know you’re getting the maximum benefit. If nothing else, take the money you would have used for an offset and give it to an environmental charity that you already know and trust.

Sounds like I should just stop visiting my family

Not so fast. Sometimes you need to get on a plane and sometimes you just want to! Travelling is great and we’re not suggesting that you only do it by boat. We just think you should be clear about where you’re spending your money. While carbon offsets are not as simple as airlines want you to believe, they are still doing something (for the most part). Which, by definition, isn’t nothing.

If you’re still uncomfy, try making small choices that cap your carbon footprint in the sky. Most fuel is used in take off and landing, so fly non-stop. Fly economy so that your emissions are split between more people. And, of course, make eco-friendly choices in other parts of your life so that flying every now and again isn’t that big of a deal. Bet you know where we think you should start. That’s right, your toilet paper.