Terrapass Teams up with Expedia

By | August 28th, 2006 1 Comment

luggagetag.jpgSince I don’t own a car, my princiipal contribution to transport derived carbon emissions is flying. Until now, it’s been rather difficult to find a way to offset those emissions by buying credits. Terrapass has just announced a partnership with Expedia offering flyers the same sort of credits that they sell to drivers. There’s a nifty calculator which will tell you approximately how many tons of CO2 your upcoming trip will emit. It’s a simplistic system – for example, it doesn’t take into account the type of aircraft (higher occupancy planes burn less per person) – but it’s a great improvement on what’s available, and It looks like I can no longer pretend I don’t have any options.
Turns out my upcoming flight to Milwaukee in October will cost me an extra $10… that’s not too bad! (although with their tiered system I could have flown a lot further for the same price), and I don’t get a luggage tag.

1 Comment

Categorized: Transportation, Green Transportation, Zero Emission Vehicles|

  • chris fanning

    The great news is that Travelocity already has a similar program and the proceeds go to the nation’s top rated environmental nonprofit, The Conservation Fund, for its Go Zero program. Through this program you not only help to address climate change, but you also restore some of our most important natural places, and destinations!
    TRAVELOCITY FIRST MAJOR ONLINE TRAVEL COMPANY TO OFFER CARBON OFFSETS WITH TRIP PURCHASE
    Proceeds Help Regenerate Forests and Wetlands for Future Generations and to Reduce Carbon Impact on Global Warming
    SOUTHLAKE, Texas (Aug. 28, 2006) – To support the growing number of customers concerned with the prospect of climate change or simply interested in rebuilding forests, wetlands and other elements of nature, Travelocity is the first major online travel company in North America to allow customers to purchase “carbon offsets” when they buy a vacation package.
    The program called Go Zero, allows customers to effectively “zero out” or offset the carbon emissions generated by their flight, hotel, or car usage through a donation to The Conservation Fund, which then plants trees that absorb carbon dioxide.
    “We are very pleased to see a major travel company like Travelocity leading the charge to regenerate forests and wetlands that can be used by future generations, but that also helps address climate change,” said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund.
    “We have always emphasized that as customer champions we are looking out for our customers’ interests before, during and after their trip,” said Michelle Peluso, president and CEO of Travelocity. “GoZero helps us serve the increasing number of consumers who want a way to offset their carbon, while promoting planting that helps strengthen places for recreation and wildlife.”
    The carbon offsets are offered as an option that customers can add during check-out when booking a vacation package on Travelocity. A contribution of $10 offsets an average trip including air travel, a one-night hotel stay, and rental car for one person; $25 negates air travel, four-night hotel stay, and rental car for two people; and $40 equalizes the effects of air travel, four-night hotel stay, and rental car for four people. Travelocity will give ALL proceeds to The Conservation Fund, and is also providing a link to The Conservation Fund web site, where donations can be made independent of any travel purchase. Go Zero purchases are fully tax deductible. Details can be found at http://www.travelocity.com/gozero.
    Travelocity.com has also purchased carbon offsets for its own North American employee travel with a donation to the Go Zero program. The first grove of Travelocity trees will be planted in the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, which is located 45 miles north of New Orleans, LA. These permanently protected lands provide important wildlife habitat for migratory birds including the Prothonotary and Swainson’s Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and White-eyed Vireo. The Refuge is also a top destination for travelers offering extraordinary opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, hiking, fishing and wildlife watching.