Cool Effect harnessed the EPA’s most recently established emission factor data (2018) and approximated flight lengths from credible online sources. In order to estimate the total metric tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions per flight, Cool Effect chose to combine emissions of carbon dioxide (1:1), methane (25:1) and nitrous oxide (298:1) and adjust for the distinct global warming potential of each gas.

Cool Effect then applied these values over three different flight-length categories: Short, Medium and Long Haul. The purposeful inclusion of methane and nitrous oxide distinguishes this Flight Emissions Calculator from other sources, which often include solely carbon dioxide in their calculations.

Rounded to the nearest 0.01 tonnes, the Cool Effect Flight Emissions Calculator is meant to provide the environmentally-conscious flyer with sound knowledge on which to base each decision to offset.

While the Cool Effect Flight Emissions Calculator is one viable resource, there are many other credible emission calculators out there to explore, such as ICAO’s Flight Calculator, Virgin Atlantic’s Carbon Neutral Calculator, or the TerraPass Carbon Footprint Calculator. Each source will likely result in slightly different emissions estimates due to the host of responsible assumptions that must be made when considering the impacts of air travel.

By selecting a length of flight and purchasing carbon credits equivalent to its estimated emissions, you are helping to compensate for the effect your flight has on the planet. More than 90% of your donation goes to support the 14 projects listed on the Cool Effect platform that reduce or prevent emissions.

At the end of the day, the idea is simple: Do what you can, anything that keeps the planet cooler helps! If your flight length falls between two options, Cool Effect humbly challenges you to round up! Clearly, the planet is heating up and Mother Earth appreciates every tonne that helps to keep her cool!