University of Pennsylvania, USA

Climate Impact Offset Charge

The University of Pennsylvania’s Travel Sustainability Working Group was developed to identify and communicate near and long-term solutions to promote reduction and overall containment of air travel and assess and identify carbon offsetting strategies to address remaining travel that is a necessity of one’s work. Air travel booked for Penn’s faculty, staff, and students through the University represents approximately 10% of Penn’s carbon footprint. 

In 2020-2021, this group established a Travel Sustainability Fund to invest in best-fit sustainability projects to fully offset the carbon impacts of the University’s air travel. This fund is supported by a Climate Impact Offset (CLIO) charge, which is applied to air travel as of July of 2021.

CLIO will offset air travel by purchasing offsets from a market provider, but Penn is working to identify local offset projects to maximize impact, while also committing to purchase verified carbon offsets that meet the Second Nature’s carbon offset guidance.

Top 3 Learnings

1. The value of engaging the community for every step of the process.
2. The value of multiple benefits within one project.
3. The value of connecting campus projects to the classroom and faculty research.