Travellers urged to offset emissions

Environment Minister Elliot Morley has this week encouraged holidaymakers to consider offsetting the carbon emissions caused by their travelling through one of the various available schemes, in a bid to minimise climate change impact over the summer.

"Flying has a significant environmental impact because of the distances covered and the amount of CO2 emitted; there is also much scientific opinion which believes that emitting these gases at high altitude increases the climate change impact. For example, a return transatlantic flight can produce up to two tonnes of carbon dioxide per passenger,” explained Mr Morley.

Carbon offsetting involves making a donation based on the level of emissions a journey is expected to produce, which is then put into climate change reducing programmes. All ministerial travel for the recent G8 summit was offset, while all central government air travel will be offset as of April 2006.

"Obviously a great many things individuals do, both essential and for pleasure, cause emissions, not all of which can be offset; however, I would ask travelers to consider whether, in addition to enjoying their holidays, they counter some of the environmental damage by subscribing to one of the offset schemes available,” he added.