San Diego International (SAN) is taking steps to offset the impact of travel on the environment.
The airport has launched the Good Traveler program to encourage passengers to curb the environmental impact of their travels. Carbon offsets and merchandise can be purchased on the program’s website, www.thegoodtraveler.org, or in some locations. All proceeds go toward conservation projects and counteracting the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.
Passengers also can buy a Good Traveler tag or sticker for $1, with each purchase offsetting 500 miles of air travel or 200 miles of driving. The three projects benefiting from the proceeds are a forest restoration project in California, a wind farm project in Idaho and a water restoration project in the Colorado Delta.
“Since its inception, the [San Diego County Regional] Airport Authority has worked to minimize its impact on the environment,” says Thella Bowens, president and CEO of SAN. “That commitment was solidified with the adoption of a formal sustainability policy in 2008. This program is yet another example of that continued commitment. Sustainable travel goes beyond the airport, so we look forward to working with our travel, tourism and industry partners to take the Good Traveler program even further.”
SAN is partnering with local travel and hospitality businesses such as Ryan Bros. Coffee, which is operated by SSP America, and Paradise Point Resort & Spa. Plus, a competition to design the program’s T-shirt is running through Oct. 14.
The pilot program will go through the end of the year, after which SAN looks to expand it to other airports and cities.
