Travel Search is now Vehicle-Agnostic and Carbon Neutral.
The tech experts behind innovative new travel search engine rome2rio are taking choice in travel to a new level. Via their partnership with Offset Options, rome2rio customers can now evaluate and compare the carbon footprint of each travel option available. The partnership was borne out of the motivation of both companies to use technology to make life easier for consumers. Together, we’re a match made in heaven.
The programme is the first of its kind for online travel OTAs. Rome2rio users will, in addition to seeing travel options, get real-time calculation of their chosen route’s carbon footprint and a range of carbon offset project choices to make their trip carbon neutral. The programme leverages Offset Options’ expertise in innovate web services technology and social media marketing to make it an easy and positive experience for travelers to get informed, take action and let their friends know about it via social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
About Carbon Offsetting
What is a carbon footprint?
Travel has a carbon footprint – including the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from fuel and other energy use from transport, lights, appliances and heating/air-conditioning.
With CO2 recognized as a leading contributor to climate change, travelers are increasingly looking to assess and reduce their CO2 emissions.
In fact CO2 is not the only greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and various hydrochlorofluorocarbons compounds have an impact on global warming, too.
To simplify scientific calculations, greenhouse gas emissions are measured in carbon dioxide equivalents CO2e describing how much impact on global warming the emitted greenhouse gases have, where the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the reference.
Carbon offsets, which represent a reduction in CO2e emissions, are the next step in the carbon management process. By purchasing carbon offsets representing an amount equal to your calculated carbon footprint, you can make your footprint “carbon neutral”.
How does offsetting carbon emissions work?
Your carbon offset purchase supports projects that reduce carbon emissions, “balancing” the carbon emitted as a result of your travel. All carbon offset projects available through Offset Options are independently verified and are issued the best global carbon standards projects.
By contributing to these projects, you are demonstrating the responsibility you’ve taken to minimize the carbon footprint of your travel by offsetting the carbon emissions associated and supporting sustainable development in the location where your offset was generated.
How is my money invested?
rome2rio has partnered with Offset Options to offer travelers the highest quality carbon offsets from around the world. The Offset Options Carbon Offset Marketplace allows you to choose from carbon offset projects certified by the highest standards in the international marketplace:
- Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS)
- Gold Standard (GS)
- Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
- Certified Emission Reduction (CER)
Relying on external accrediting organizations assures that offered projects are real, measurable, permanent, additional, and independently verified.
For each project, the project developer must determine that its funding, in the form of carbon offsets, is crucial to the project going ahead. This means that these projects rely on your support and investment to make them financially viable and would not have occurred without you!
How was the carbon footprint calculated?
As you make your travel plans across the globe via rome2rio, the carbon emissions of all segments of your trip via different modes of transportation are assessed. For this complex carbon assessment, Offset Options has built a range of calculators to give you an accurate measurement of emissions associated with you car, train or air travel. Each of the calculators take into account factors such as the type of transport, distance travelled and regional fuel use information; this is then overlaid with international standards such as those defined by the German, British and US governments.
As the carbon assessment space is rapidly evolving, we ensure each of our calculators is up to date with best of breed assessment standards around the world. We continuously ensure our calculators reflect international best practice.
The accuracy of the assessment relies upon the data supplied during your travel search on rome2rio. The calculator assessment tool was developed using international carbon assessment standards including:
- GHG Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard established by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- AS /ISO 14000: Life Cycle Assessment Series
- AS /ISO 14064: Greenhouse Gases
- UK Government DEFRA: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- German Environment Ministry
