According to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the global aviation sector contributes between 2% and 3% of the world’s total GHG emissions.

The carbon footprint of a flight refers to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the consumption of jet-fuel and depend largely on the aircraft used, the distance flown, and the number of passengers and cargo the aircraft carries. The different GHG emissions from a flight are converted into an equivalent impact from carbon dioxide– or kgCO₂e.

Our CO₂ emissions calculations are based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) Recommended Practice-RP 1726 ("RP 1726") and consider parameters such as scheduled flights, aircraft fuel consumption, seat configuration, and historical load factors for more than 400 airlines. The precision of the calculation will depend on the input data.

Carbon offset projects enable individuals and organisations to take climate action by voluntarily supporting certified third-party projects that contribute to the reduction, removal or avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Certified carbon projects issue carbon credits. Each carbon credit represents a single unit of GHG emissions (being one (1) tonne carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e)) that is reduced or removed from the atmosphere. A unit of GHG emissions can be reduced or removed through various methods or project types that advance climate action around the world (e.g. forestry projects, landfill methane recovery and destruction).

Once the verified carbon offsets are purchased, they are ‘retired’ by being taken out of circulation, blocking them for future use and thus avoiding double counting. All credits that you purchase are held on the applicable carbon registry and then “retired” on your behalf.

The certification process for a carbon offset project is robust and projects must demonstrate that they are additional, measurable, auditable, permanent, and unique. The carbon offsets made available on the CHOOOSE carbon offset site are Voluntary Emission Reduction (VER) units. The projects issuing these carbon offsets are certified to internationally recognized carbon certification standards that set requirements for the design and implementation of carbon projects, specifically the Verified Carbon Standard, the Gold Standard. The independent third-party verifications are performed by accredited verifiers and follow best practices as well as the verification criteria indicated in each specific standard.

Yes. When you offset the carbon footprint of your flight, you support climate solutions like renewable energy projects, community projects, or nature-based solutions that reduce or remove carbon emissions. A project that is certified to a credible carbon certification body and that issues carbon offsets must adhere to the principle of “additionality.” When a project demonstrates “additionality”, it means that the climate impact of that project is above and beyond any emission reductions or removals that would have happened without that project. In other words, you are not supporting a climate impact that would have taken place without the offsetting project. The additionality case is checked by third-party auditors and the respective carbon certification body at project inception.

When people or organizations offset their carbon footprints, funds paid are used to purchase verified carbon offsets (in an amount equivalent to that of their estimated carbon footprint) from projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The price paid is the total cost to deliver the carbon offsets.

The aviation industry is responsible for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With an understanding of this impact, the industry is working towards global targets such as Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

This offset option to act on your carbon footprint provided by Canadian Affair by Transat and CHOOOSE does not replace or minimise an airline’s commitments and responsibility. It is a voluntary engagement option for passengers who wish to act on the emissions associated with their journeys. Canada Affair by Transat does not have any financial gain associated to this program.