Carbon Emissions: Finding the Balance
2006 has been the year that carbon emissions from air travel have finally made it into the headlines. Here at the STC, we believe very strongly that responsible tourism should relate not just to the countries and communities that we visit, but also to how we travel. Air travel currently accounts for some 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. On a typical return fight to India from the UK, for example, each passenger is responsible for the release of nearly 1.9 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. The good news, however, is that there is something you can do to reduce the impact of these emissions.
"Carbon Offsetting" involves making a donation to a charity or company which supports projects aiming to reduce the atmospheric levels of CO2 recognised as having a major effect on climate change. The STC has linked up with international wildlife conservation charity, Friends of Conservation, (FOC). Amongst other activities, FOC promotes rainforest regeneration and fuel efficiency programmes, helping to mitigate the environmental cost of air travel.
Unlike some companies of non-charitable status offering carbon offsetting, FOC guarantees that 100% of any money donated for Carbon Offsetting goes to the projects involved.
The Cano Negro and Forest Refuge projects in Costa Rica are two such examples. FOC's local partners work with four communities to protect rainforest, reforest areas damaged through logging and agriculture and also create forest plantations using indigenous species. They also own and are reforesting land around the Cano Negro to prevent further damage to the lagoon caused by the removal of wood cover.
All schools and colleges arranging their travel through the STC are able to offset their emissions at a reduced rate: The STC will contribute 50% of the offset donation, provided that the school or pupils donate the other 50%. If you would like more information on this very worthwhile scheme then please get in touch and we will be keen to tell you more.
To the best of our knowledge, we are the only educational travel company offering such a scheme.