Carbon offsetting

Compensating for trip CO2 emissions by supporting climate projects. Rather than reducing the emissions from a trip directly, companies pay to fund projects elsewhere — such as reforestation or renewable energy — that are estimated to remove or avoid an equivalent amount of carbon. It's a commonly used but sometimes debated tool for addressing travel's environmental impact.

Offset projects come in different types. Some avoid emissions — for example, renewable energy or cookstove projects — while others remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation or direct air capture. Offsets are usually purchased as carbon credits, each representing one tonne of CO2 avoided or removed. Their credibility depends on factors such as verification standards, whether the reduction would have happened anyway (additionality) and how long the carbon remains stored (permanence). Recognised standards include the Verified Carbon Standard and the Gold Standard.

Offsetting has been criticised when it is used instead of reducing emissions or when projects fail to deliver the promised impact. As a result, many companies now follow a hierarchy: first avoid unnecessary travel, then reduce emissions through better choices, and only then offset what remains, using high-quality, verified credits. Transparent reporting on both emissions and offsets is essential to avoid accusations of greenwashing. Regulators are also paying closer attention to climate claims.

Any offsetting strategy starts with accurate measurement. Tumodo's Reports section shows the company's carbon footprint for any selected period, with calculations performed automatically in line with international standards. This gives companies a reliable basis for deciding how much to reduce, how much to offset and how to report progress, while travel policies and rail options help cut emissions at the source.