San Diego Airport unveils sustainable travel programme for passengers

San Diego International Airport has launched The Good Traveler initiative designed to encourage sustainable travel.

The Good Traveler is a pilot programme that encourages sustainable travel by enabling individuals to offset the environmental impact of their journey. Individuals can purchase carbon offsets and merchandise online at thegoodtraveler.org  or at select locations, with proceeds going toward conservation projects that help counteract the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment.

For one dollar, travellers can buy a collectible Good Traveler tag or sticker that can be placed on a bag, laptop or phone cover. The purchase will offset 500 miles of air travel or 200 miles of driving, with 100 percent of proceeds going into three projects: a forest restoration project in California, a wind farm project in Idaho, and a water restoration project in the Colorado Delta.  

Sustainable travel programme allows airport travellers to offset their flight for one dollar

Thella Bowens, President/CEO of San Diego International Airport, said: “Since its inception, the Airport Authority has worked to minimise its impact on the environment. That commitment was solidified with the adoption of a formal sustainability policy in 2008. This program is yet another example of that continued commitment.

“Sustainable travel goes beyond the airport, so we look forward to working with our travel, tourism and industry partners to take The Good Traveler program even further.” 

Prior to the launch, San Diego International was the first U.S. airport to sign the Climate Declaration; a call to action that urges federal and state policymakers to seize the economic opportunity of addressing climate change.

As a part of the airport’s commitment to encourage sustainable travel, the airport conducted a review of how to provide its 18.8 million annual passengers the option to offset the impact of their travel. As a result, The Good Traveler programme was developed. The pilot programme will now run until the end 0f 2015 after which the airport hopes to expand the initiative to other airports and cities.