Lonely Planet & CHOOOSE make climate action available for global travellers

April 27, 2021

News

The partnership enables travelers from all corners of the world to take responsibility for the carbon footprint of every aspect of their journey through impactful travel offsetting.

Carbon emissions from commercial aviation currently account for 2% of global emissions and are set to increase by 300% by 2050. It is important to recognize the impact flying has on the environment, but the solution is not necessarily to stop traveling but to travel differently.

Travel icon Lonely Planet has teamed up with the Norwegian climate and tech company CHOOOSE to launch its new travel footprint calculator Travel Better. The tool is designed to enable travelers to take responsibility for the carbon footprint of not only their flights but also accommodation and ground transportation. The purpose is to make climate action accessible to everyone.

Reshaping the future of travel

Since 1973, Lonely Planet has focused on minimizing the impact traveling has on the planet. From the beginning, they have helped, inspired, and guided millions of travelers to explore the world in a conscious and caring way. Knowing that any type of travel leaves an environmental footprint, the travel icon will now offer an option to empower its global community to act on climate change by addressing, reducing, and taking responsibility for their unavoidable travel footprint.

“With simple steps, travelers can now ensure that their journey's carbon emissions are being counted for and reduced via some of the best climate projects around the world. With our footprint calculator, they can calculate and pay for the CO2e emissions related to their journey. The contribution goes directly to supporting CO2 reducing projects verified by the most comprehensive and stringent international standards”, says CHOOOSE CEO Andreas Slettvoll.

The best standards of international emission reductions available today

The new travel footprint calculator automatically measures the footprint of the itinerary. Users can calculate and compensate for the emissions from flights, ground transportation, and even accommodation. As an example, a one-way trip from London(LHR) to New York (JFK) with economy class will emit approx 1410,96 lbs and costs USD 5,81 to offset. The impact by offsetting the travel footprint will go towards verified carbon-reducing projects that actively combat climate change and help to improve health and living conditions in local communities.

Projects include a wind project in Costa Rica, a water filter project in Cambodia, and a hydropower Programme across Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The projects are handpicked by an independent carbon advisory board and are verified by third-party verifiers, such as Gold Standard and the United Nations.

“The type of offsetting projects that Lonely Planet and CHOOOSE is socializing and promoting represents the best standards of international emission reductions available today”, says Niclas Svenningen, Global Climate Action Manager at UNFCCC.

"Lonely Planet is one of the strongest brands in global travel. It is an honor and a great challenge to team up and work to re-shape the future of travel together”, says Andreas Slettvoll, CEO at CHOOOSE.

CHOOOSE and Lonely Planet’s Travel Better footprint calculator is available across all markets. All travelers who compensate for their journey will receive a certificate recognizing that the journey's carbon emissions have been accounted for.