TripIt App Launches Carbon Footprint Feature
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With TripIt’s new feature, travelers can take environmental stewardship into their own hands.
TripIt, an app known for creating useful master itineraries that keep travelers calm no matter where their globe-trotting adventures take them, has added a new feature to its arsenal. Travelers can learn about the environmental impact of their flight after installing the latest TripIt update. The new Carbon Footprint feature allows users to quantify the environmental impact of an upcoming flight and suggests ways to offset it. The app also compiles emissions data as more trips are taken and provides an annual snapshot of the air traveler’s carbon footprint.
The new feature will be available in both free and paid versions of TripIt, which provides trip planning and flight tracking to keep travelers organized and updated throughout their journey. The app is also used by APEX to collect passenger satisfaction data that determine the Official Airline Ratings.
The new Carbon Footprint feature allows users to quantify the environmental impact of an upcoming flight and suggests ways to offset it.
TripIt measures emissions in metric tons of carbon dioxide, using the widely trusted Greenhouse Gas Protocol. To calculate a passenger’s carbon footprint, it takes into account the flight’s distance, class, and environmental elements.
Some practical ways to reduce environmental impact as suggested by the app include planting trees, recycling and donating money to offset projects.
According to IATA, commercial aviation is responsible for about 2% of global carbon emissions. While more fuel-efficient aircraft and biofuels form part of the solution, many airlines have also been turning to carbon-neutral growth strategies by putting resources towards carbon-offsetting projects involving forest conservation, renewable energy and other global initiatives. Last November, EasyJet became the first airline to operate net zero carbon flights. British Airways and jetBlue followed with announcements that they will operate carbon-neutral domestic flights as of January and July of this year, respectively.