What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual’s or organisation's activities. The scale CO2 emissions generated by a flight primarily depend on the aircraft used, the distance flown, and the number of passengers and amount of cargo the aircraft carries.

How is my carbon footprint from a flight estimated?

For every 1 kg of jet fuel combusted by an aircraft engine during the operational phase of the flight, approximately 3.15 kg of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

We are calculating these emissions based on IATA’s Recommended Practice 1726 (RP 1726) methodology. International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an organisation that leads the industry in developing standards for air transport. RP 1726 takes into account multiple factors when calculation emissions, including the origin and destination, aircraft type and fuel consumption, seat capacity, and historical load factors of over 400 airlines.

What determines the cost to offset my flight? Are there any additional service costs?

The cost to offset your flight is estimated to have an average carbon price of USD 6 per tonne of CO2. Then, the total price you pay is dependent on the amount of carbon emissions generated by your particular flight and this cost per tonne of CO2 (with your booking region and taxes potentially having an impact, too). The total amount also includes a corresponding service and technology fees to CHOOOSE, the company that powers our climate programme’s technology.

What is carbon offsetting, and how does it work?

Carbon offsetting is a mechanism that enables individuals and organisations to advance climate action by supporting certified third-party projects that contribute to the reduction or removal of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Certified projects issue carbon credits, which act as an instrument for selling the project’s associated removal or reduction impact and ultimately offsetting that impact against an existing carbon footprint.

Each carbon credit represents a single unit of GHG emissions (approximately one-tonne carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e)) that is reduced or removed from the atmosphere or the carbon cycle. A unit of GHG emissions can be reduced or removed through various methods or projects.

How do I offset my flight-associated carbon emissions as a customer?

During the booking process on the HK Express direct channels, you will have the opportunity to view the estimated carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emission for your selected flights. Upon check out, you can voluntarily decide to offset your emission by ticking the offset box. Your contribution will support high-impact certified carbon projects recognised by leading international standards. You can also purchase carbon offsets through the Manage My Booking page once you have completed the flight booking.

Can you provide an example of estimated carbon offsets?

Considering a roundtrip for one adult from Hong Kong (HKG) to Narita, Tokyo (NRT) scheduled from 28th to 30th October 2023, the carbon footprint is 471.93kg CO2e, equivalent to HKD 27.

Please note that the exact price may vary over time based on fluctuations in price in the voluntary carbon market.

Can I decide to offset only part of a booked journey (i.e., one-way rather than roundtrip or for one customer from a booking for four customers)?

Our Customer Carbon Offset Programme is designed to offset the flight-associated emissions generated from the entire booking. Unfortunately, we currently do not offer the option to offset specific segments of your journey or for individual customers included within a multi-person booking.

What specific projects does the Customer Carbon Offset Programme support?

Our Carbon Offset Programme supports high-quality carbon projects certified by internationally recognized certification standards and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The certified climate projects selected by HK Express, in collaboration with industry experts, represent a diverse range of climate projects across East and Southeast Asia. The projects have obtained a Verified Carbon Standard by Verra, an organization that sets the world’s leading standards for climate action and sustainable development.

Will purchasing carbon offsets or carbon credits create positive climate impact?

When you offset the carbon footprint of your flight, you support climate solutions like nature-based solutions, renewable energy projects, or community projects that reduce or remove carbon emissions – and in this way help further climate action around the world.

Can I change my carbon offset purchase after completing the flight booking or get a refund?

Unfortunately, payment for carbon offset is non-refundable. Once you have completed the flight booking and purchased carbon offsets, changes or modifications to the carbon offset purchase cannot be made. We appreciate your contribution towards a more sustainable future.

Who is CHOOOSE™?

This program is hosted by climate tech company CHOOOSE™. CHOOOSE delivers a platform that enables both individuals and organizations to understand their carbon emissions, make more carbon-informed decisions, and support certified climate solutions around the world. For more information, please visit www.chooose.today.

Click here to start your flying journey in a greener way!

To know more: Considering the further information to sponsor the carbon offset projects?