Why Traditional Carbon Offsets Fall Short
Today, tourists and event organisers are increasingly looking for meaningful ways to reduce their environmental impact by supporting impactful, local climate projects. However, traditional carbon offset models often fail to deliver genuine benefits.
These models tend to prioritise cost-effectiveness over impact, leading to investments in remote initiatives that offer little or no tangible benefit to the local communities most affected by tourism and large events. Moreover, the fundamental assumption behind traditional offsets - that emissions can be “neutralised” on a one-for-one basis - is deeply flawed.
Here’s why:
Time Delays in Sequestration: While the impact of carbon emissions is immediate, many offset projects, such as reforestation, take decades to sequester an equivalent amount of carbon. This creates a significant mismatch between the timing of emissions and their supposed neutralisation.
Uncertainty in Carbon Permanence: Natural processes used in offsetting, such as forest preservation, carry inherent risks like wildfires or deforestation, which can re-release stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Differing Impacts of Emissions Sources: Not all emissions are equal. For example, carbon emissions from aviation have a different environmental impact compared to those from agriculture or manufacturing. A one-size-fits-all offset model fails to address these nuanced differences.
These shortcomings have eroded public trust in traditional offsetting schemes, with credible sources like The Guardian exposing cases of greenwashing where companies make misleading climate claims.
Our Contribution-Based Alternative
At Breeze, we believe in a smarter, more transparent approach to climate action. Our contribution-based model shifts the focus from “offsetting” emissions to making direct, meaningful investments in impactful local projects. Here’s how it works:
1. Setting an Internal Carbon Price (ICP)
We’ve established two pricing tiers to align with the financial capacity and environmental responsibility of our users:
Businesses and Event Organisers: Charged $50 per tonne, a price that reflects the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) and benchmarks against compliance market rates. This ensures corporations take meaningful accountability for their emissions.
Individual Travellers: Charged $10 per tonne, keeping climate action affordable and accessible while encouraging broader participation in sustainability efforts.
This tiered pricing ensures both affordability and accountability while reflecting the true cost of carbon emissions.
2. Robust Emissions Calculations
Breeze employs a state-of-the-art, in-house emissions accounting tool to deliver accurate and comprehensive calculations. Here’s what we measure:
Transportation: Emissions from flights, rail travel, and local transport are assessed based on distance, mode, and passenger numbers.
Accommodation: Calculations consider energy usage and occupancy levels across hotels or rentals.
Event-Specific Factors: For organisers, additional variables like attendee behaviour, venue energy use, catering, and material waste are included.
Emission Uplift Factor: To account for unique impacts such as peak energy usage or disposable materials, we apply a pre-calculated adjustment, ensuring credibility and comprehensiveness.
Our methodology aligns with globally recognised standards like DEFRA and IPCC, ensuring accurate results that stakeholders can trust.
3. Investing in Verified Local Projects
The funds generated through our Climate Action Budgets are channelled into high-impact, locally relevant initiatives. For example, we support:
Reforestation Projects: Planting native species to restore ecosystems and enhance carbon sequestration.
Biodiversity Restoration: Protecting local wildlife and promoting ecosystem resilience.
Sustainable Land Management: Reducing soil erosion and improving agricultural productivity in harmony with nature.
All projects are managed by trusted local organisations, ensuring oversight, accountability, and measurable impact.
Why Choose Breeze’s Model?
Our approach is built on credibility, transparency, and a commitment to meaningful climate action. By integrating respected methodologies from Travalyst and the IPCC, we address the critical flaws in traditional offsetting. Our focus on hyper-local, high-quality projects creates tangible benefits for communities and the environment, fostering trust and making a genuine impact.
For travellers, event organisers, and businesses, Breeze offers a pathway to contribute responsibly to climate resilience while supporting local economies. It’s not just about measuring emissions - it’s about making every action count.