Tough days ahead for global trade and climate negotiations. The shock comes from developed countries and affects poor countries the most. The European Parliament approved the introduction of a carbon border tax (CBT) on 18 April. The CBT will become law after approval by the EU Council next month. It will allow the EU to charge a new tax on imports of steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity from 1 January 2026. However, Indian exporters must share company-level emissions data with the EU from 1 October. However, the EU is not alone in making such a decision. The UK, Canada, Japan and the US are also preparing to levy CBT on imports. Most developed countries will implement some form of CBT between 2026 and 2028. CBT rates will vary by product and production process. CBT rates are not fixed, they would be calculated for each consignment. The rates will depend on the intensity of the product's emissions, including built-in emissions. These may vary for different manufacturing units spread across the globe. For example, the CBT for cement can be 90 percent of the product value. For blast furnace steel, the rate can be around 20 percent of the product price. The average rate will be 20-35 percent of the value of the product. The following table shows the CBT product estimate. Targeted emission reductions The EU aims to achieve 55 percent lower carbon emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It wants to be carbon neutral by 2050. In 2005, it created the Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) to achieve its climate goals. The EU-ETS monitors emissions from more than 10,000 power plants, oil refineries, iron, steel, aluminum, cement, paper and glass plants and civil aviation. The ETS system works through European emission allowances (EUAs). Let's call it a license or permit that allows one metric ton of CO2 emissions for a certain period of time. The EU-ETS sets an upper limit on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly carbon dioxide) that each installation can emit. Each participating company will receive a limited number of annual EUA quotas. At the end of each compliance cycle, all EU-ETS participants must surrender enough EUA allowances to cover all their emissions in that cycle. The EU-ETS system lowers the cap gradually to reduce emissions. Businesses are expected to achieve lower emissions by investing in better technologies, fossil fuel alternatives and energy efficiency. The EU-ETS is thus a cap-and-trade system that uses market forces to reduce emissions. The system allows the market to set a carbon price, and this price drives investment decisions and drives innovation in the market. However, the EU-ETS gave the most polluting industries, such as steel or aluminum, a free ride by granting them free emission allowances to cover all their emissions. This was done to prevent their resettlement to cheaper destinations such as China or India.

Fórum tichomorských ostrovov vypracovalo stratégiu Blue Pacific 2050, ktorá predstavuje odvážny plán rastu pre náš región. Stanovuje dôkladnú a všestrannú stratégiu na riešenie mnohých zložitých problémov, ktorým čelíme, ako je zmena klímy. Manoa Kamikamica, podpredseda vlády a minister obchodu hovorí, že investície do pripravenosti na katastrofy a prispôsobenia sa klimatickým zmenám možno implementovať smerom k budovaniu odolnosti našich ekonomík a spoločností, aby sme zaistili, že budeme schopní prispôsobiť sa meniacim sa okolnostiam. Kamkamica dodáva, že tichomorský región musí spolupracovať a preorientovať svoje stratégie, ak má byť udržateľný. „V rámci stratégií do roku 2050 existuje niekoľko kľúčových príležitostí, ak niečo len preorientuje našu pozornosť na potrebu spolupráce, ale je to spolupráca, v ktorej vyhráva každý.“ Pri štarte bolo počuť, že tichomorský región by sa mal chopiť tejto príležitosti, pretože je mimoriadne citlivý na vonkajšie otrasy, ako sú prírodné katastrofy a zmena klímy. (Sivaniolo Lumelume, Multimediálny novinár iTaukei Desk, FBC News)

Financovanie klimatickej transformácie EÚ. Prechod na hospodárstvo šetrné ku klíme si bude vyžadovať veľké verejné a súkromné investície. Krajiny EÚ sa zaviazali, že 30 % dlhodobého rozpočtu EÚ na roky 2021 – 2027 a nástroja Next Generation EU vynaložia na projekty súvisiace s klímou.

S cieľom zabezpečiť spravodlivosť klimatickej transformácie EÚ zaviedla Mechanizmus spravodlivej transformácie, ktorého cieľom je poskytovať finančnú a technickú podporu regiónom, ktoré sú najviac postihnuté prechodom na nízkouhlíkové hospodárstvo. Na tento účel sa má mobilizovať až 90 miliárd EUR.

• Financovanie klimatickej transformácie (podkladové informácie)
• Klimatická neutralita: Rada schválila Fond na spravodlivú transformáciu (tlačová správa, 7. júna 2021)

By taking small steps at home, you can save energy and money and help protect the climate by reducing emissions. Households produce roughly a quarter of all direct CO₂ emissions that occur in the EU today.

Wash smartly

transportation

Private transport is one of the world's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and in countries such as the UK and US, the transport sector, dominated by cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles, is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than any other. If you have a car, simply reducing how much you use it can be a great first step to reducing your emissions. In many places, most journeys by car are only relatively short distances, and walking or cycling are great alternatives that can also help you stay healthy. For longer journeys (and where available), public transport tends to be a much lower carbon option than driving. (Read more about how we can reduce the carbon footprint of our daily commute.)

TRavel provides an exciting opportunity to explore different cultures, sample new cuisines and create long-lasting memories. However, with climate change concerns growing, it's important to be mindful of the impact of our holidays on the environment. Travelers are often unaware of the carbon footprint associated with their choices of accommodation, activities, transit and more. Along the way, a combination of big and small decisions can make a significant contribution to the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions. We asked travel and environmental experts to share some of the common mistakes travelers make that add to their carbon footprint. Read on to learn what they are (along with some tips to compensate for this behavior).

(Caroline Bologna)

10 Travel Mistakes That Increase Your Carbon Footprint (msn.com)

Vydávanie „katastrofických dlhopisov“ a vytváranie verejno-súkromných partnerstiev by mohlo pomôcť zaplniť „medzeru v poistení“ a lepšie pokryť škody spôsobené klimatickými zmenami, uviedol v pondelok diskusný dokument Európskej centrálnej banky a regulačných orgánov Európskej únie pre poisťovníctvo. Len štvrtina strát súvisiacich s klimatickými katastrofami v EÚ je poistená, čo vytvára riziká pre hospodárstvo a finančnú stabilitu v dôsledku toho, že nepoistené domácnosti a podniky sa nedokážu rýchlo zotaviť z extrémnych udalostí, ako sú požiare alebo záplavy, uvádza sa v dokumente ECB a európskeho dozorného orgánu pre poisťovníctvo EIOPA. Bez opatrení by sa medzera v poistení mohla zväčšiť, keďže častejšie a intenzívnejšie udalosti vedú k vyššiemu poistnému a majú vplyv na ponuku úverov od bánk vo vysokorizikových oblastiach. Priame celkové straty z katastrof v EÚ dosiahli v rokoch 487 až 535 1980 miliárd eur (2020 miliárd dolárov) a poisťovňa Swiss Re odhaduje, že v minulom roku došlo na celom svete ku katastrofickým stratám vo výške 120 miliárd dolárov. Šesť po sebe nasledujúcich rokov nadpriemerných strát viedlo k zvýšeniu cien zaistenia v prípade katastrof pri majetkových katastrofách, pričom európske sadzby sa pri obnovení v januári 30 zvýšili o 2023 %, uviedol medzinárodný maklér Howden. „Aby sme účinne chránili našu spoločnosť, musíme riešiť obavy z rastúcej medzery v poistnom zabezpečení tým, že navrhneme a nájdeme vhodné riešenia,“ uviedla vo vyhlásení predsedníčka EIOPA Petra Hielkema. Opatrenia by mohli zahŕňať stimulovanie ľudí a podnikov, aby zmierňovali následky katastrof súvisiacich s klímou poskytovaním zliav na politiky, uvádza sa v dokumente. Vydávanie katastrofických dlhopisov by mohlo pomôcť poisťovateľom preniesť časť rizika na kapitálový trh, aby udržali poistné pod kontrolou. Prijatím opatrení by sa urýchlilo vyplácanie prostriedkov po katastrofách, aby sa zabránilo zasiahnutiu hospodárstva. Systémy poistenia na národnej úrovni by tiež mohli byť doplnené celoeurópskym verejným systémom, ktorý zabezpečí, že európskym krajinám budú k dispozícii dostatočné finančné prostriedky na rekonštrukciu po zriedkavých rozsiahlych katastrofách súvisiacich s klímou. 
(Reuters )

Nie je možné oddeliť zmenu klímy od sociálnej a hospodárskej nerovnosti. Okrem skutočnosti, že kapitalizmus je poháňaný masovou spotrebou fosílnych palív, globálna ekonomická nerovnosť vytvorená kapitalistickými praktikami zanechala chudobné krajiny v nevýhode. Ekonomická produkcia v teplých krajinách, ako je India a Nigéria, klesla, pretože teploty stúpajú v dôsledku neúrody alebo extrémnych poveternostných udalostí, ktoré ničia úrodu a zdroje. Zároveň sa s rastúcimi celkovými teplotami zvýšila ekonomická produkcia bohatších krajín, ktoré sú v chladnejšom podnebí, ako je Nórsko a Spojené kráľovstvo. Je zrejmé, že to prehĺbilo globálnu ekonomickú priepasť medzi bohatými a chudobnými národmi. Chudobnejšie krajiny majú tiež väčšie ťažkosti pri zotavovaní sa z extrémnych výkyvov počasia spôsobených zmenou klímy bez zdrojov, ktoré majú bohaté krajiny. Keďže mnohé rozvojové krajiny sa nachádzajú v zónach klimatického rizika, ľudia v krajinách s nízkymi a nižšími strednými príjmami majú päťkrát vyššiu pravdepodobnosť, že budú vysídlení extrémnymi poveternostnými udalosťami, než ľudia v krajinách s vysokými príjmami. Dokonca aj v menšom meradle sú marginalizované komunity najviac postihnuté otepľovaním klímy kvôli nerovnostiam v rase, pohlaví a triede, čo je skutočnosť, ktorú klimatická politika často prehliada.

(ANTONIA KLADIAS)

Each of us produces a carbon footprint through our activity. Its size depends on what you do, how you live and how much you travel. This calculator can calculate it based on your answers. Let's do this!

Priepasť medzi klimatickou krízou a politickými krokmi zostáva široká aj po 53 rokoch. Napriek tomu, že viac ako 190 krajín oslavuje Deň Zeme už viac ako pol storočia, zdravie planéty je alarmujúce.

MANILA, Filipíny – Dohody o zmene klímy a obrane budú stredobodom rozhovorov medzi prezidentom Ferdinandom „Bongbongom“ Marcosom Jr. a americkým prezidentom Joeom Bidenom budúci týždeň, keď sa stretnú, aby potvrdili „špeciálny vzťah“ Filipín a Spojených štátov. Marcos Jr. bude na oficiálnej pracovnej návšteve USA od 30. apríla do 4. mája, len niekoľko dní po ukončení každoročného vojenského cvičenia medzi filipínskymi a americkými vojakmi a týždne po stretnutí predstaviteľov zahraničných vecí a obrany jednotlivých krajín na 2 + 2 Dialóg ministrov. „Zmena klímy je veľká vec a budeme žiadať o pomoc, čo ešte môžeme urobiť a akú inú stratégiu môžeme použiť,“ povedal Marcos Jr. Dodal, že plánujú prehodnotiť aj Dohodu o hosťujúcich silách a Zmluvu o vzájomnej obrane s tým, že „musíme to rozvinúť“ s ohľadom na vývoj v regióne. Generálny riaditeľ tiež zdôraznil, že filipínska delegácia sa bude snažiť o ďalšie projekty a partnerstvá, o ktoré by sa mohla usilovať s USA.  Marcos mladší a Biden sa prvýkrát stretli v septembri minulého roka stranou Valného zhromaždenia OSN. Potom diskutovali o spojenectve medzi Manilou a Washingtonom, o napätí v Juhočínskom mori, o ruskej invázii na Ukrajinu a o ďalších témach. Bude to 10. oficiálna zahraničná cesta Marcosa mladšieho ako filipínskeho prezidenta od jeho minuloročného nástupu do úradu. Odrazil kritiku svojho častého cestovania a povedal, že Filipíny sa musia osloviť investorov. Kritizovali ho aj za to, že letel do Singapuru v októbri len niekoľko dní po tom, čo krajinu zasiahol tajfún Karding, ktorý zasiahol milióny ľudí a poškodil poľnohospodárstvo v hodnote miliárd. Marcos Jr. súčasne sedí ako šéf poľnohospodárstva krajiny. (Philstar.com)

NEMECKÍ KLIMATICKÍ AKTIVISTI sa dnes ráno pokúsili zastaviť dopravu v Berlíne tým, že obsadili ulice po celom hlavnom meste. Členovia skupiny Last Generation za posledný rok opakovane blokovali cesty po celom Nemecku v snahe prinútiť vládu, aby prijala razantnejšie opatrenia proti klimatickým zmenám. Niekoľkokrát obsadili cesty, rozzúrili niektorých motoristov a podnietili konzervatívnych politikov k obvineniam z extrémizmu. Okrem blokád na cestách aktivisti uviedli, že dopravu zablokujú aj veľmi pomalým pochodom cez mesto neskôr počas dňa. Ráno bolo naprieč mestom asi 20 cestných záterasov, informovala nemecká tlačová agentúra dpa. „Už nebudeme akceptovať, že vláda nemá v pláne zastaviť ničenie nášho živobytia,“ uviedla Last Generation vo vyhlásení. „Teraz sa bránime.“ Podľa berlínskej polície bude v uliciach mesta celý deň až 500 policajtov, aby zabránili blokádam alebo ich rýchlo ukončili, informovala agentúra dpa. Skupina minulý týždeň uviedla, že jej členovia v najbližších dňoch zintenzívnia svoje kroky a pokúsia sa „pokojne zastaviť mesto“. Last Generation chce, aby Nemecko do roku 2030 prestalo používať všetky fosílne palivá a prijalo krátkodobé opatrenia vrátane zavedenia všeobecného rýchlostného limitu 62 míľ za hodinu na diaľniciach ako spôsobu zníženia emisií z dopravy. (The Journal, o klimatických zmenách)

 

BioMar is now the first aquafeed company to meet the ambitious Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) carbon reduction targets. SBTi is a partnership between several environmental groups that encourages corporations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and independently evaluates their plans. More than 2,000 companies have signed up to the initiative, including seafood companies such as Lerøy Seafood, Grieg Seafood and Nomad. In 2022, SBTi released a guide to help seafood companies reduce their carbon footprint. BioMar announced its intention to find a way to reduce carbon through SBTi in June 2022, and now SBTi has confirmed the Danish company's plans. The company has committed to reducing its emissions by around a third by 2030. BioMar has also released a 2022 sustainability report outlining its goals. "With approximately 80 percent of carbon emissions from aquaculture coming from feed, our customers expect BioMar to quickly take ambitious steps to reduce our emissions," said BioMar Group Global Sustainability Director Vidar Gundersen. Gunderson added that applied, science-based sustainability "is a mantra at BioMar, and data quality is key." “We have skilled global and local teams working with cutting-edge tools and methodologies for optimized sustainability solutions. Rather, we will all achieve our goals by working together through the value chain,” Gunderson said. Joining SBTi is only part of the company's efforts to be more environmentally friendly. To celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2022, BioMar has adopted a new corporate strategy that includes new environmental and community projects. "We have undertaken the largest strategic process in BioMar's history," said BioMar CEO Carlos Diaz. "It's an ambitious strategy with exciting opportunities, and sustainability is no longer just part of the strategy – it's the strategy." (Nathan Strout)

Environmental activists have condemned the UAE's nomination of Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, the oil company's chief executive, to lead UN climate talks at the end of the year. While al-Jaber is a seasoned diplomat and also runs a renewable energy firm, the environmental track record of the oil industry means skepticism about his role is understandable.

Amid global Earth Day activism and hand-wringing about slow progress towards net-zero carbon targets that are worryingly out of reach, attention turns to the COP28 climate summit at the end of the year - and the UAE's unlikely role as host as well as the nomination of Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber as president of the conference. As a cabinet minister, seasoned diplomat and confidant of the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zaved al-Nahyan, al-Jaber was welcomed by many. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he had "both the position and the ability to offer breakthrough leadership at COP28". US special climate envoy John Kerry called him a "great choice". However, as the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), one of the world's largest oil producers, environmentalists see his appointment as a "stunning conflict of interest." That al-Jaber is also chairman of renewable energy company Masdar, which invests mainly in solar and wind power in 40 countries, provides little comfort. While Masdar says it plans to invest $30 billion in renewables by 2030, Adnoc's board has approved a $150 billion five-year plan that includes increasing the company's production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2027. As part of the plan, Adnoc will also pursue low-carbon solutions as part of the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, the company's website makes clear that it has a "mandate to focus on exploring the undeveloped oil and gas potential of the UAE." In a speech last year, al-Jaber warned against trying to transition away from fossil fuels too quickly. He stressed the need for "maximum energy, minimum emissions" and said "the world needs all the energy solutions it can get".

 (Story by David Dodwell)

Myšlienka, že zmena klímy je vnímaná ako „psychologicky vzdialená“ – deje sa tak v budúcnosti, na vzdialených miestach, iným ľuďom alebo zvieratám – sa už dlho prezentuje ako hlavná prekážka v boji proti zmene klímy.

Rýchle vyhľadávanie na internete pre „obrázky klimatických zmien“ ľahko poskytne známu fotografiu osamelého ľadového medveďa na zmenšujúcom sa bloku ľadu. Napriek tomu, že tieto obrázky znamenajú blížiacu sa krízu, takéto obrázky spôsobujú, že zmena klímy sa zdá byť abstraktná – odohráva sa veľmi ďaleko (pre väčšinu z nás), zvieratám, s ktorými sme sa pravdepodobne nikdy nestretli. Myšlienka, že zmena klímy je vnímaná ako „psychologicky vzdialená“ – ku ktorej dochádza v budúcnosti, na vzdialených miestach, iným ľuďom alebo zvieratám – sa už dlho prezentuje ako hlavná prekážka boja proti zmene klímy. Napriek intuitívnej príťažlivosti tejto myšlienky, nový výskum, ktorý dnes zverejnili behaviorálni vedci z Univerzity v Groningene v časopise One Earth. Autori tvrdia, že psychologická vzdialenosť klimatickej zmeny bola preceňovaná – podľa ich výsledkov väčšina ľudí považuje zmenu klímy za „psychologicky blízko“. Výskumníci systematicky skúmali dostupné dôkazy, aby zistili, aká je v skutočnosti prevládajúca psychologická vzdialenosť ku klimatickým zmenám – a či to môže zabrániť klimatickým opatreniam. Najprv analyzovali údaje z 27 prieskumov verejnej mienky z celého sveta – vrátane Číny, USA, Spojeného kráľovstva, Austrálie a EÚ – a zistili, že väčšina ľudí vníma zmenu klímy tak, že sa deje teraz a v blízkosti.   (The Conversation)

 

Boj proti zmene klímy si vyžaduje opatrenia zo strany všetkých krajín na celom svete. EÚ pracuje na podpore ambicióznych globálnych opatrení prostredníctvom:

• Dohovor OSN o zmene klímy  (UNFCCC) a iné medzinárodné fóra
• dvojstranné vzťahy s krajinami, ktoré nie sú členmi EÚ
• Politiky a iniciatívy na úrovni EÚ a na medzinárodnej úrovni
• finance podporovať rozvojové krajiny v ich úsilí bojovať proti zmene klímy.

• The Carbon Core Principles and Quality Assessment Framework were launched by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market in March.
• The council expects to announce the first round of eligible loan programs and a list of approved projects in the third quarter.

Global efforts such as the quality assessment framework launched last month to strengthen the integrity of voluntary carbon markets will improve transparency and boost credit buyer confidence, analysts say. However, since market integrity is complicated and multifaceted, and the international quality assessment framework is new, the road to transforming carbon markets into a mature green financial system is difficult and long, they added. As a key stakeholder, the development is key for Hong Kong, which launched an international carbon market in October. "The basic principles of carbon are a big step forward, but many challenges remain [as] integrity can mean different things to different people," Tristan Loffler, head of carbon credit integrity at London-based consultancy Trove Research, said in a webinar on Tuesday. The core principles define high-integrity carbon credits and the assessment framework was launched in March by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) following stakeholder consultation and input from a group of scientists and technical experts. Established in 2021, the Council is an independent governing body and standard-setter that aims to ensure the creation and use of credits with high integrity to effectively value the climate benefits of emission reduction and removal projects to mobilize green finance. There are two broad types of carbon credits – mandatory and voluntary. The mandatory ones are created by government regimes that set limits on emissions. Voluntary ones are usually sourced and traded through non-profit credit and standards bodies. Earlier this year, European media reports cast doubt on the accuracy of the carbon reduction benefits claimed by a key type of recognized voluntary project – deforestation prevention – highlighting the need for integrity in the voluntary carbon market. In order to comply with the guidelines, credit authorities must operate or use a register to identify and track climate change mitigation activities and carbon credits issued, the Council said. Such information should be publicly available and subject to third-party verification and should not be double-counted, he added. The principles also state that emissions reduction or removal activities for which credits are awarded should deliver "additional" climate benefits compared to a no-change "baseline scenario." This means that the activities would not take place if there was no financial support from the proceeds from the sale of loans. In addition, the activities should not "lock in" emissions for many years, which would make them incompatible with the global ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This means that the activities would not take place if there was no financial support from the proceeds of the sale of credits. In addition, activities should not "lock in" emissions for many years, which would make them incompatible with the global ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The benefits of reducing emissions should also be scientifically quantified. Ideally, they should be permanent, failing which project proponents should put measures in place to compensate for any reversal, according to the Council. It is also necessary to disclose the factors influencing the level of permanence, she added. Whenever the credit period is renewed, the “baseline scenario” should be reassessed, including whether barriers to mitigation activities still exist when the credits were first made. If they have changed, the calculation of climate benefits and thus the approved credits should reflect this. The council expects to announce the first batch of loan programs eligible to require compliance with the core principles and a list of approved project categories in the third quarter of this year. The assessment framework will be reviewed in 2025. "The criteria at the CCP and program level will clarify what a high-quality carbon credit looks like and help programs [and] projects strive for high integrity," said Pablo Fernandez, CEO of Swiss project developer Ecosecurities to mitigate carbon emissions. As an international market for carbon trading, Hong Kong should consider regulating the mislabeling of credits with core principles and promoting price transparency of such credits, said Grace Hui, assistant professor of environment and sustainability at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and former head of green finance at Hong Kong Exchanges. and Clearing. "Buyers should know how much of the price they paid actually goes to project owners to finance climate action," she said. Adequate transparency can increase market liquidity and improve price discovery, said a spokesman for the Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong's market regulator. The SFC is a member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions' carbon markets task force, which is evaluating feedback from a consultation on the role of financial regulators in carbon markets, he added. (Eric Ng, News Editor, Climate)

ohn Nergenah is a fourth generation farmer in Morgan County. He and his father have been working with Locus Agricultural Solutions' CarbonNow program for eight years. “We are 100% no-till and we use cover crops on every acre every year,” Nergenah said. “Carbon markets were an additional thing that fit into what we were already doing.” The CarbonNow program pays the Nergenahs $9 per acre for using best practices. When the company returns to take soil samples, Nergenah will receive an additional $3 per acre. There is potential for bonus dollars if carbon sequestration results are better than expected. Locus Ag converts data from all farms in the program into carbon sequestration credits that are sold to some of the largest corporations in the world. Corporations buy credits to offset the amount of carbon dioxide they produce in the course of doing business. Carbon credits are essentially "permits" that allow corporations to emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Because part of the Nergenahs land is sloping, they have always had problems with erosion. Thirty years ago, Nergenah's father started experimenting with soybeans, but planting them was more difficult. His father was shocked when John let the cover crop grow waist-high and when John planted corn directly into the cover crop.

Travel, by its very nature, requires energy. Moving our bodies around the world requires fuel, often in the form of carbon-emitting fossil fuels. According to a 2021 White House fact sheet, aviation generates 11 % of total US transportation emissions. It's a huge number, but it points to another big carbon tax: 89 % of emissions are generated on land. Fortunately, being a more sustainable traveler doesn't require huge sacrifices—or expenses. Reducing the impact of ground travel at your destination is easy and can improve the quality of your trip.

1. Visit transit-friendly destinations

For many destinations, airport signs that refer to "ground transportation" only have a few options: ride-sharing and rental cars. Neither option is very carbon-friendly, according to a 2022 report by the Congressional Budget Office, which estimates that cars emit just under half a kilogram of carbon dioxide per passenger mile traveled. On the other hand, rail transport releases less than half of the carbon per passenger kilometer, so it is much less demanding on emissions. If you decide to visit destinations with a strong public train network, such as New York or Tokyo, you can significantly improve your green transport options. Conversely, visiting destinations that require a rental car, such as the island of Maui in Hawaii, can increase your carbon footprint in addition to the emissions from a long flight. But it doesn't have to be a sacrifice. Riding a high-speed rail across Japan is a tourist attraction in itself, as is admiring the miraculously accurate German railways. Even the D train trip to Brooklyn has its charm.

2. Renting an electric vehicle

Just a few years ago, renting an electric car was something that only the rich or very environmentally minded people thought about. Now the logic has changed as these vehicles have entered mainstream use and charging stations are popping up everywhere from grocery stores to hotel parking lots.

3. Stay put

This opportunity to reduce ground transport emissions is so simple that it is easy to overlook. Instead of trying to visit all of California's national parks (there are nine, after all), consider sticking to one and taking it slow.

4. Traveling in groups

A single car emits almost half a kilogram of carbon dioxide per kilometer of transport. This number changes with the number of passengers, meaning that the more passengers, the less (relative) emissions. That's good news for eco-conscious families, who tend to fill up cars and vans more than couples and solo travelers. And it's a good reason to travel together by car on difficult trips, for example to weddings. (NerdWallet)