Air travel emissions mitigation projects
Beginning March 15, 2023, all air travel funded by the University of Toronto is subject to a carbon offset fee based on the distance travelled.
The fees are pooled and used to fund university-based tri-campus projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through avoidance or sequestration to mitigate the climate impact of U of T-funded air travel.
Learn more about how the air travel emissions mitigation initiative works.
U of T does not purchase third-party offsets
Due to a variety of challenges with offset markets, such as the transparency of projects and overstated reductions, U of T does not purchase third-party offsets to offset air travel emissions.
Instead, the university created this initiative to select and implement its own emissions mitigation projects that also prioritize co-benefits for local communities and U of T’s research and academic mission. The university also ensures that emissions reductions from the mitigation projects are accurately verified, calculated, and reported.
How mitigation projects are selected
To be selected, mitigation projects must conform to project principles—based on industry best practices—and be reviewed by the initiative’s advisory group.
The principles are based on the core offset concepts of additionality, permanency, high-quality projects, and verification.
Mitigation project principles
A mitigation project must:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in addition to any current or future university projects typically approved through other means. This may include projects that are already funded, are legally required, or are expected to be implemented without funding from this initiative.
- Be beneficial, that is, not associated with significant social or environmental harm, and result in co-benefits in addition to greenhouse gas reductions whenever possible.
- Be high-quality with a transparent and clearly defined scope, impact, and co-benefits.
- Permanently avoid creating emissions, or sequester emissions for at least 50 years.
- Include a risk mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of reversible emissions reductions.
- Be managed and implemented by U of T to reduce university emissions.
- Have its greenhouse gas reductions reviewed, validated, and verified by a recognized third party.
- Be evaluated against a standardized set of criteria:
- Dollars spent per metric tonne reduction
- Target: offsetting a metric tonne for every metric tonne created through university-sponsored air travel
- Emissions source/scope (1,2, or 3)
- Total emissions reduced
- Project feasibility
- Co-benefits
- Project timeline
- Dollars spent per metric tonne reduction
How emissions reductions are verified
Emissions reductions for mitigation projects are verified by a third party to ensure they are objective and accurate.
The projected and verified emissions reductions for mitigation projects, the total fees collected through this initiative, and the amount spent on the projects will be included in an annual report to further ensure transparency and accountability.
Ongoing mitigation projects
Project identification and development is an ongoing process in collaboration with university partners.
Projects are expected to primarily focus on carbon reduction opportunities related to energy, food, waste, and transportation. New projects are added to this list as they are selected.
Koffler Scientific Reserve reforestation
This reforestation project is a collaboration with faculty from the Daniels Institute of Forestry and Conservation.
This project is expected to launch in the spring of 2023 and will involve planting approximately 2,100 trees on 1.5 hectares of land at the Koffler Scientific Reserve. This will support academic research, increased biodiversity, and decreased forestry fragmentation.
This project is expected to sequester 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 50 years.
How to contribute
If you have any questions or suggestions about this initiative, please email sustainability@utoronto.ca.