Getting started
How to Determine Your Carbon Onsetting Investment
IntroductioN: Navigating the Complexity of Carbon Onsetting
Determining the right investment for carbon onsetting can feel overwhelming. Travel distances, program types, carbon costs, and institutional priorities all vary. But that complexity makes the process meaningful: by working through it, institutions take a vital step toward environmental and social responsibility in study abroad and other international travel.
This page offers a structured approach—not a one-size-fits-all formula. Our goal is to provide common language, clear steps, and transparency so that each institution can align the investment with its own values and commitments.
Even though this takes time, every effort to balance the footprint of global education with investment in restoration and climate justice moves us closer to a sustainable, equitable future.
If you need to save time, you can skip ahead to the Carbon Onsetting Proposal Request Form.
Step 1: Understand Your Institution’s Impact
Before selecting a plan, explore the basics of carbon markets, offsets, and the footprint of international travel. Understanding these factors will help you make informed decisions about balancing your emissions with meaningful investment in climate justice.
Where to Begin? Do your own research or click here to read our key insights and bullet points.
Key Considerations:
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Flights are the largest factor, but not the only one. Study abroad often includes internal flights and frequent travel, which increase emissions.
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The formula is flexible. We provide a calculation tool, but can customize a program even if your institution doesn’t use exact carbon metrics.
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Carbon pricing varies. The voluntary market has no fixed price; institutions must decide what value to assign per metric ton.
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Carbon isn’t the whole story. International travel also impacts biodiversity, cultures and social justice—harder to measure but central to climate justice.
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It takes time. Depending on detail, this may take 30 minutes to several hours. Do what you can—or skip to the Proposal Form and let us help.
Step 2: Estimate the Carbon Impact of Study Abroad (and other travel)
There are two ways to estimate:
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Simplified method: Research suggests 3–6 metric tons per student per semester.
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3–4 tons → Short-term programs
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4–5 tons → Semester programs with limited travel
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5–6 tons → Semester programs with high travel
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Detailed method: Use program type and travel intensity, and conducting detailed research, you can create your own formula. See our insights to help.
👉 Multiply the number of travelers by the assigned metric tons to estimate your total emissions.
important notes
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These are conservative estimates and may undercount actual emissions.
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Long-haul destinations (East Asia, Australia, Southern Africa, South Asia, etc.) significantly increase impact.
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This calculation measures environmental impact only—the social cost of emissions is equally important.
Example Calculations:
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Example 1: 120 students in short-term programs → average 3 metric tons each.
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Example 2: 100 students in semester-long programs with limited travel → average 4 metric tons each.
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Example 3: 50 students in semester-long programs with high travel → average 6 metric tons each.
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Example 4: 200 students in semester-long programs (no differentiation by travel intensity) → average 5 metric tons each.
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Example 5: 500 students in a mix of short- and long-term programs → single average of 4 metric tons each.
Step 3: Determine Your Institution’s Investment
Once you’ve estimated your carbon impact, assign a monetary value per metric ton of CO₂. Prices vary widely, which can be confusing, so here’s a quick guide:
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Low-quality offsets: $5/ton
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High-quality offsets: $100+/ton
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Voluntary market average: $6–7/ton
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Fair Trade value (recommended): $20/ton
➡️ Unsure where to start? Use the Fair Trade value of $20/ton as a balanced option. It doesn’t fully “offset” emissions, but it reflects both climate mitigation costs and market realities. We’ll help tailor an approach for your institution.
Example Investment Calculations:
Using the same examples as above and varied metric ton prices that you may determine from your own research and decision-making:
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Example 1: 120 students in short-term programs, 3 tons each × $20 = $7,200
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Example 2: 100 students in semester-long programs (low travel), 4 tons each × $10 = $4,000
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Example 3: 50 students in semester-long programs (high travel), 6 tons each × $10 = $3,000
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Example 4: 200 students in semester-long programs, 5 tons each × $20 = $20,000
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Example 5: 500 students in mixed programs, 4 tons each × $7 = $14,000
➡️ Fairness question: Won’t it be unfair if other institutions value carbon differently?
Not at all. What matters is total financial investment, not the price you set per ton. Each institution must walk this path at its own pace—the important step is committing to climate justice.
Step 4: Decide on Exclusive Partnership
Exclusive partnerships begin at $25,000/year and can be tailored to meet full or partial community needs.
📌 Benefits of exclusivity include:
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A deeper restorer–co-restorer relationship, highlighted on our website
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Personalized advising from Pachaysana to grow and share your story
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Access to pedagogical tools for your classes
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Detailed annual reports
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Social media posts ready to share
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Free Unlearning workshops
Finalizing Your Onsetting Plan
By now, your institution will have:
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An estimated carbon footprint for study abroad
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A chosen price per metric ton aligned with your goals and budget
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A selected investment level per student (or traveler)
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The option to pursue an exclusive partnership with a Restorer community.
🔹 Ready to take the next step? Complete the Proposal Request Form below—or contact us directly—and we’ll walk with you to design a Carbon Onsetting plan that fits your institution and strengthens your commitment to climate justice.
carbon onsetting
proposal request form
Fill out this form to receive a customized Carbon Onsetting proposal for your institution.