LEVEL 2: SILVER
EMISSIONS NEUTRAL
Level Two requires a 300% offset to comprehensively offset emissions.
A majority of the impact of aviation comes from non-CO2 emissions – emissions like NOx or the formation of contrails. The non-CO2 emissions of gases and aerosol particles affect atmospheric composition and cloudiness, adding to the overall climate impact from the sector’s CO2 emissions.
Climate impacts can be compared with a metric known as an emissions index. Using an emissions index known as the global warming potential (GWP), we can convert the impact of non-CO2 emissions into a CO2-equivalent amount (CO2e).
To be truly emissions neutral and reduce our full impact on climate change, we must consider our entire impact.
Current best estimates of the GWP of all aviation emissions is 3.0, so to be emission neutral requires offsetting 300% of carbon dioxide emissions alone.
