Fly guilt-free about the carbon emissions of your flight the next time you fly. Domestic flyers are finally getting an option to neutralise the polluting carbon footprint of their flights.
Already trending in the west, this is the first time such an option is being offered for domestic flights in India.
A leading online travel portal MakeMyTrip will offer a voluntary opt-in to 'fly carbon neutral' to all domestic flight passengers from this weekend, which is also World Environment Day. Through this option, flyers booking on the site will get an option to fully, or partially, neutralise their per-passenger carbon footprint by paying up to Climes, a certified third party, which will distribute it to carbon removal projects that focus on increasing biodiversity through agroforestry as well as restoring degraded agricultural lands across the country.
Flyers will also have the option of choosing which project they wish to support. This will be given as an e-link in their booked tickets.
“Over the past few years, there is an increased awareness and sensitivity among travellers towards sustainable travel. We are looking forward to empowering travellers with options that allow them to make sustainable choices and do their bit for the environment even while travelling,” said Vipul Prakash, COO, MakeMyTrip.
Carbon emissions and other personal behavioural changes to protect the environment have been particularly rising in popularity in many countries, particularly in Europe. Climate activist Greta Thunberg, when she had to fly to the United Nations to participate in a climate conference, made it clear that she had neutralised her carbon emissions.
In India, Singapore Airlines has offered similar options for all its flights to and from India, since last year. Passengers get the option to contribute to environmental projects in Indonesia and Nepal, among other places.
“Through this and other initiatives that focus on travelling responsibly, we hope to bring forth a behavioural change amongst travellers by helping them think sustainable-first when booking travel in the future,” added Prakash.
