As climate concerns grow, both travellers and event organisers are increasingly looking for ways to minimise their environmental footprint. One of the most widely promoted solutions is carbon offsetting. But how effective is it particularly in planning for major sports and other events or at an individual venue level? Can purchasing carbon offsets genuinely counterbalance the emissions from flights, road trips, and other travel, or is it simply a way to ease guilt without making a tangible difference? In this piece we explore the pros and cons of carbon offsetting, providing insights into whether it is a meaningful step towards sustainability. What is carbon offsetting? Carbon offsetting is a system where individuals, companies, or governments compensate for their carbon emissions by funding projects that reduce or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These projects can include: Reforestation and afforestation – planting trees to absorb CO2. Renewable energy investment – funding wind, solar, and hydroelectric projects to replace fossil fuels. Methane capture initiatives – reducing emissions from landfill sites and agriculture. Community projects – supporting energy-efficient cookstoves, clean water access, and sustainable farming. For travellers, carbon offsetting often means paying an additional fee when booking a flight or using independent schemes that calculate your trip's emissions and suggest an appropriate donation to an offsetting project. For event organisers, offsetting can be part of sustainability planning, ensuring that emissions from transportation, energy use, and waste are balanced out by meaningful carbon reduction efforts. The case for carbon offsetting 1. Immediate action for emissions reduction One of the strongest arguments in favour of carbon offsetting is that it provides an immediate way to take responsibility for your travel emissions. While transitioning to a low-carbon lifestyle is the ultimate goal, offsetting at least helps mitigate the damage caused by current travel habits. 2. Supporting environmental and social projects Many offset programmes fund critical environmental initiatives such as forest conservation, renewable energy development, and carbon sequestration. These projects often come with additional benefits, such as: Biodiversity protection – preserving forests helps protect wildlife habitats. Improved air and water quality – reducing pollution from fossil fuels. Community development – creating jobs and improving livelihoods in rural areas. For example, Gold Standard-certified projects have provided clean cooking solutions to communities in Kenya, reducing deforestation and improving indoor air quality. 3. Raising awareness of travel and event emissions Offsetting encourages travellers and event planners to consider their carbon footprint and explore more sustainable alternatives. It can serve as an educational tool, prompting people to make more environmentally conscious travel choices. For instance, some journey planners used by event organisers highlight how much carbon will be emitted and offer alternative travel options alongside offsetting links. 4. Corporate and organisational accountability When airlines, travel companies, and event organisers offer carbon offsetting options, it signals an industry-wide recognition of travel and event-related emissions. In some cases, companies reinvest in greener technologies and operational efficiencies as part of their sustainability commitments. The criticism of carbon offsetting 1. Does not reduce overall emissions A major criticism is that offsetting does not eliminate emissions but merely attempts to balance them out elsewhere. True climate action requires direct reductions in emissions, such as using alternative transport opposed to private vehicles and flying, improving congestion and improving access to electric vehicles and more sustainable aviation technology. 2. Lack of transparency and accountability Not all carbon offset programmes are created equal. Some projects fail to deliver promised carbon savings, while others take years to offset emissions produced today. Cases of greenwashing have been reported where organisations overstate their impact. For instance, an investigation found that over 90% of rainforest carbon offsets under Verra’s system were largely ineffective , raising concerns about the credibility of some schemes. 3. Ethical concerns Offsetting can be seen as a way for wealthier individuals and corporations to maintain high-emission lifestyles without real changes. This raises ethical concerns about who should bear the burden of emissions reduction and whether offsetting allows frequent flyers to absolve themselves of responsibility without addressing the root issue. 4. Potential negative impacts on local communities Some offset projects have been linked to land grabs, displacement of indigenous communities, and financial structures that fail to benefit local populations. Ensuring ethical and sustainable projects is crucial. How to make carbon offsetting meaningful If you choose to offset your emissions, ensure your efforts are effective by following these guidelines: 1. Choose verified projects Look for projects certified by reputable standards such as: Gold Standard Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards These ensure projects deliver measurable and additional carbon reductions. 2. Prioritise high-impact offsets Some offset projects have greater long-term benefits than others. For instance, preserving existing forests can be more effective than planting new trees, as mature trees absorb more carbon. Investing in renewable energy projects can also provide more immediate and long-lasting emission reductions. 3. Offset more than just flights While flights are a major contributor to travel emissions, they are not the only source. Offset emissions from: Road travel – Consider opting for public or shared transport or renting electric or hybrid vehicles. Accommodation – Choose properties that use renewable energy. Event operations – Offset emissions from venue energy use and attendee travel. 4. Combine offsetting with other sustainable practices Offsetting should be part of a broader commitment to sustainability. Reduce what you can, offset what you must. Beyond offsetting: a more sustainable travel and event future While carbon offsetting can play a role in mitigating travel emissions, it should not be seen as a silver bullet. The real goal should be to transition towards a more sustainable transport future which starts with goals associated with reduction of carbon generation and then off-setting the residual carbon. Here are some ways to contribute to carbon reduction beyond offsetting: For event goers: Travel smarter – Use public transport, walk, cycle, use electric vehicles, and car-share. Stay in eco-friendly accommodations – Choose hotels with sustainability certifications and opt for locations with access to sustainable transport. Support responsible tourism and events – Choose destinations and venues with sustainable practises and that prioritise conservation and community well-being. Adopt a slow travel mindset – Instead of frequent short trips, opt for longer stays in destinations, reducing overall transport emissions. If you are travelling for an event, you could consider staying closer to the venue in order to walk and cycle to the event which contributes to less congestion and emissions and explore the area by public transport. Engage in climate advocacy – Support policies that promote greener travel infrastructure and sustainable aviation advancements. For event organisers: Clearly define your goals for travel-related carbon emissions or consider setting mode share targets to prioritise reducing emissions before offsetting them. Offer sustainable travel choices – Ensure the availability and promotion of public transport, car sharing, electric vehicles, as well as walking and cycling access. Ensure that the available travel options are clearly communicated through journey planners and marketing communications. Encourage local stays – Recommend nearby accommodations to reduce the need for private transport. Offer incentives for sustainable travel – Consider providing discounts on public transport or integrating free transport into ticket prices. Minimise on-site emissions – Use renewable energy sources, minimise waste, and optimise venue energy efficiency. Implement carbon tracking – Use tools to measure and reduce event emissions. Partner with local businesses that have strong sustainability credentials. Conclusion: Is carbon offsetting worth it? Carbon offsetting, while not a flawless solution, can play a role in climate mitigation. We believe organisations should prioritise emission reductions first, considering offsetting only after all possible efforts to cut emissions at the source have been made. As such, it is most effective when combined with broader actions aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable initiatives. Reduce what you can, offset what you must. For travellers and event organisers who genuinely want to make a positive impact, offsetting should be part of a larger strategy that includes reducing emissions, choosing sustainable alternatives, and advocating for systemic change in the travel industry. If you want to talk about how you can ensure that travel and events remain sources of enrichment without compromising the health of our planet, then send us an email at hello@intheround.global .