e-Visa.co.uk offers you the possibility to offset the CO₂ emissions of your flight when you apply for a visa or travel authorisation. The amount you pay will be fully invested in a renewable solar energy project in India.
What does the CO₂ compensation include?
Air transport releases climate-damaging greenhouse gas, also called CO₂. For example, a round-trip flight to India from Europe emits around 1.6 tonnes (or 1,600 kg) on average of CO₂. You can simply stop flying and thus avoid CO₂ emissions altogether. However, you have also the possibility to offset your CO₂ emissions by supporting projects that reduce CO₂ emissions elsewhere in the world. Although this does not reduce CO₂ emissions altogether, it does reduce your individual CO₂ footprint.
Different ways to compensate
CO₂ emissions can be offset in different ways. Firstly, by capturing CO₂, for example by planting trees that absorbe CO₂ from the atmosphere, or by preventing the cutting-down of forests. Secondly, through energy-saving measures, such as installing more energy-efficient cookers that reduce the need to burn wood or charcoal. Finally, renewable energy projects, such as the construction of solar or wind farms can also be supported. e-Visa.co.uk supports renewable energy projects like those. If you offset your CO₂ emissions by e-Visa.co.uk, your contribution will be used to finance a renewable energy project.
Purchase of carbon credits
The CO₂ offsets are calculated through the Carbon Credits emissions or carbon certificates. Each credit guarantees a reduction of one tonne (1,000 kg) of CO₂ emissions. To check if projects meet all the requirements and actually guarantee the offset of emissions, a series of labels have been created. The largest organisation approving CO₂ offset projects worldwide is Verra. Verra's seal of approval is Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
If you choose to reduce your CO₂ emissions via e-Visa.co.uk, the total amount that you pay will be used to buy Carbon Credits. Recently, e-Visa.co.uk has purchased 75.000 Carbon Credits thanks to the contribution of its customers. This implies a reduction of 75,000 tonnes (or 75 million kg) of CO₂. Here you can check the purchase of these Carbon Credits in Verra's official VCS register.
Renewable solar energy in India
The Carbon Credits bought by e-Visa.co.uk are for projects requiring the installation of renewable solar power plants in India. The contract will be managed by Mahindra Renewables Private Limited which is building a solar power plant based in a part of India with no renewable energy plants for now. This project contributes to the sustainability and diversification of the Indian power sector and promotes energy security in India.