Carbon Offsets Alone Won't Decarbonize Canadian Aviation

Carbon offset credits are gaining popularity as a climate solution for Canadian travellers and airlines. Yet concerns grow about whether offset systems can really produce measurable, meaningful reductions in aviation industry emissions.

Carbon offsets seem to make some difference, but Canada’s aviation industry can’t rely on them as our entire climate strategy.

For a more in-depth look, check out Devon Manning’s article, Why Carbon Offsets in Canadian Aviation Are Not Enough.

Growing Criticism of Carbon Offsets

Each carbon offset project requires verification and certification through a third party.

• In 2021, a joint investigation by The Guardian and Greenpeace examined Verra, the largest third-party certifier. The investigation examined 10 previously certified forest protection projects and found numerous errors in the calculations.

  
  

• In 2023, Verra was investigated again, finding 90% of approved offsets did not represent real reductions in emissions.

Investigations are ongoing to look into the possibility of overstated rates of verified greenhouse gas reductions and limited transparency. Plus, high auditing costs and a lack of regulations undermine support for COCS to offset GHG emissions.

Canadian Airlines Respond

In September 2022, a global climate technology company, CHOOOSE, partnered with Air Canada to establish a carbon offset program to reduce GHG emissions.

Air Canada passengers can choose to offset their flight’s estimated CO2 emissions when they purchase a ticket. Offset projects through this program promote forestry projects in Haida Gwaii, forest management and mangrove ecosystem projects in South America and Asia, and clean energy programs in India.

WestJet incorporated newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft and optimized flight routes to reduce fuel emissions by 11% in 2023. West Jet’s consumer carbon calculators allow passengers to check their flight's emissions and purchase offset credits that support land conservation in Stephenville, Appleton, and Glenwood in Newfoundland and Labrador.

After CCOS in Canada

Carbon Credit Offset Systems help raise consumer awareness of aviation emissions, but they are by far not a complete solution.

Canada’s aviation industry, like the global aviation industry, must find more ways to develop investor and consumer support for sustainable innovation. More efficient aircraft using more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) build on the foundation of operational improvements.

In addition, greater industry accountability under stronger regulations moves Canada closer to real sustainability.

Conclusion 

Carbon offsets play a constructive role to fund environmental projects and encourage research, development and technological innovation. But to achieve Canada’s climate objectives in the long term, the aviation industry requires major structural changes.

As such, meaningful decarbonization in Canada, and worldwide, depends on technological advances and measurable emissions reductions in the aviation industry, not offsets alone.