IAPMA’s Approach to Carbon Offsetting
Caring while connecting: in a globalized world we may not be able to fly less — international exchange and personal encounters are central to who we are — but we can take meaningful steps to reduce our footprint. Offsetting is one small act with big impact.
The Bigger Picture
Since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has drastically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — mainly through the burning of coal, oil and gas. These fossil fuels have powered economies, driven innovation and enabled global development, but at a steep environmental cost:
CO₂ levels in the year of 1750: 280 ppm
CO₂ levels now: Over 420 ppm — the highest in 800,000 years
The result? A stronger greenhouse effect, rising temperatures, more extreme weather, melting glaciers and widespread ecological disruption. Despite decades of scientific warnings, global emissions are still increasing.
2024 emissions:
41.6 billion tonnes CO₂ released
37.4 billion tonnes from fossil fuels alone
(Source: Global Carbon Project, 2024)
IAPMA: Powered by People and Travel
As an international organization, IAPMA thrives on global collaboration and recognizes that much of our carbon footprint comes from travel — flights taken by members to attend meetings, exhibitions and congresses around the world. — but our travel also contributes significantly to carbon emissions.
Examples: one return flight from Berlin to Shanghai emits around 3,218 kg of CO₂ — more than five times the annual emissions of an average person in Ethiopia (560 kg) and over 50% more than a year’s worth of driving a typical car (12,000 km/year = 2,000 kg CO₂).
What We Can Do: Offset Our Travel or Donate
We take our environmental responsibility seriously and encourage all members to offset their emissions wherever possible. We believe that responsibility begins with awareness — and action.
Many airlines allow you to add a carbon offset donation when booking a flight to help balance out the environmental impact of flying. Your contribution supports projects that reduce or capture carbon emissions, like reforestation or renewable energy. This option varies by airline, region and flight type, with some including it automatically and others letting you add it during checkout.
Besides that here are five standout carbon offset providers*:
- Terrapass
- MyClimate
- Carbon Checkout
- Clear
- Given that air travel is our main source of emissions, we recommend Atmosfair
Offsetting a return flight like the Berlin–Shanghai example would cost around 100 Euro. For an additional 50 Euro, you can also support the development of climate-compatible e-kerosene through Atmosfair’s plant in Emsland, Germany, helping build the future of low-emission aviation fuel.
Taking steps to offset your carbon emissions not only helps balance your environmental impact but also supports the development of cleaner, more sustainable solutions for the future. Every effort matters and together, we can make a real difference for our planet.
Another effective way to fight back against climate change is to protect the best carbon-storing technology that already exists: rainforest. Indigenous peoples and local communities have lived in balance with rainforest for thousands of years and are the real rainforest experts. They are people who face extreme injustice whilst living on the front line of the climate crisis.
Cool Earth exists to give cash direct to rainforest communities, to fund projects that create a long-lasting income for rainforest communities and tackle the root causes of deforestation and protect vital carbon sinks. When people living in the rainforest have a sustainable income, healthcare, food security and education, it can help stop the need to sell rainforest as a last resort for essential cash. A donation will directly help with this.
* IAPMA does not receive any financial support, benefits, compensation or incentives for listing these providers. This information is provided solely for informational purposes to help our members make informed choices.