Carbon offset schemes for aviation – will they work?

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) launched a 12-month study to investigate air passengers’ preferences towards carbon offsetting, including their willingness to pay.  The study was headed by MMU’s Dr Paul Hooper and comprised three elements: a review of offset literature; a review of various offset schemes provided internationally; and a survey of passengers at Manchester Airport.

The findings uncovered a lack of transparency among those providing offset schemes in areas such as how the offset levy was calculated, and where the money raised was being invested.  This undermines the credibility of offset schemes as a whole – a factor which was further exacerbated by the variance in offset charges which ranged from 31 pence right up to £12.95 on a short-haul flight!

Results from the 487 passengers surveyed at Manchester Airport indicated that, whilst most respondents had heard of offsetting, less than a tenth had done anything about it.  One of the main reasons why uptake was not greater may be that people do not regard limiting the climate impacts of flight as their responsibility. Instead, passengers look to airlines or the government to deal with aviation’s environmental impacts.

Overall, there were high levels of uncertainty among the passengers surveyed about many aspects of carbon offsetting.  Passengers were unclear how the money is used and how the schemes actually deliver benefits in terms of climate change mitigation.  Some were sceptical that the environmental impacts of aviation are significant, while others viewed offsetting as simply another tax.

Conclusions are that efforts are required to present the benefits and purpose of offsetting the climate effects of aviation much more clearly to the public if uptake is to be increased. In addition, greater transparency and accountability of the schemes could help to build consumer confidence in offsetting. Omega is currently talking to DEFRA to ensure that these findings inform their best practice guidance.