Rocky Mountain Institute Joins The Good Traveler Carbon-Reduction Program with Mission to Scale Impact
The Good Traveler, a nonprofit collaboration among airports and transportation authorities, and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a global nonprofit focused on transforming energy use, today announced a multiyear partnership focused on scaling the impact of The Good Traveler aviation carbon-reduction program. The Good Traveler empowers organizations, airports, individuals, and cities to reduce their environmental footprints through carbon offsetting.
RMI is contracting with San Diego International Airport (SAN) to administer the program, which was pioneered by SAN in 2015. In addition, RMI is helping to shape strategy as part of the Advisory Member Group, which currently includes SAN, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Over 63 million tons of voluntary carbon offsets were sold in 2016,[1] of which a significant portion are estimated to be purchases made to address travel specifically. The partnership’s objective is to grow the market for high-quality carbon reduction options, and to cultivate new travel-based emissions-reduction projects. The global aviation industry produces around 2 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are few options to accelerate efficiency and the International Air Transport Association expects passenger growth to nearly double from current levels by 2035.
The Good Traveler currently supports regional climate mitigation projects including the Arcata Community Forest in Northern California, the Big Smile Wind Farm at Dempsey Ridge, and Water Restoration Certificates by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. RMI plans to incorporate in-sector travel emissions-reduction projects over time, such as projects involving sustainable aviation fuels, which have the potential to reduce life-cycle emissions by as much as 80 percent.
“We’re thrilled to join these airport leaders advancing sustainable travel and we are committed to ensuring The Good Traveler drives carbon-reduction innovation,” said Adam Klauber, Director of Rocky Mountain Institute’s Sustainable Aviation program. “We look forward to expanding its customer base and to integrating in-sector offset projects. This will be a game-changer for decarbonizing the fast-growing aviation industry.”
“The Good Traveler program is an important part of San Diego International Airport’s efforts to address the impact of carbon emissions on climate change,” said Kim Becker, the airport’s President/CEO. “We are proud to see this program grow and expand to other airports across the country.”
“Visitors and citizens of the Seattle region care deeply about the environment,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. “And we’re responding with our own commitment to reduce the Port’s carbon emissions by 50 percent. The Good Traveler program is a perfect complement to these programs. Passengers can be personally involved in reducing their carbon footprint through an easy-to-use, intuitive offsetting program designed specifically for air travelers.”
“The Port Authority of NY & NJ is thrilled to be a founding member of the Good Traveler Program. The Good Traveler is a natural fit for us as we pursue deep emissions reductions at all of our facilities and strive to advance clean and green economic growth in the New York/New Jersey region,” said Christine Weydig, Director of the Port Authority's Office of Environmental and Energy Programs. “We have been working tirelessly to improve the environmental performance of our facilities, through projects including installation of clean solar photovoltaics at Newark Liberty and Stewart International Airports, to $95 million invested in energy efficiency projects across our facilities. The Good Traveler is a great way to help our travelers reduce their footprint, ensuring that carbon offsets are verifiable, traceable, and invested in projects that benefit our economy.”
