How I Offset My Carbon Emissions While Travelling on a Budget: London to Bosnia

 

Travelling on a budget does not mean ignoring environmental responsibility. While I focus on finding cheap flights and budget-friendly travel options, I also take steps to offset my carbon footprint.

One of the easiest ways to reduce the environmental impact of travel is through carbon offsetting, which supports climate-positive projects like reforestation, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technology. I personally use Climate Neutral Now, a United Nations-backed platform that funds certified projects worldwide.

On my recent trip from London to Bosnia, I made sure to keep my costs low while also minimising my environmental impact. Here’s how I did it—and how you can too.

1. Understanding the Carbon Emissions from London to Bosnia

Travelling from London to Bosnia requires covering approximately 1,500–2,000 kilometres, depending on the final destination. There are multiple ways to get there, each with a different carbon footprint:

Flying (direct or indirect) – A direct flight from London to Sarajevo emits approximately 350 kilograms of CO₂ per passenger. If the flight includes a stopover, emissions increase due to additional fuel use.

Train & Bus – Travelling by train and bus via major European cities like Paris, Munich, or Zagreb emits 70–150 kilograms of CO₂ per passenger, significantly less than flying.

Driving – A car journey from London to Sarajevo emits about 400 kilograms of CO₂, though this is divided among passengers if carpooling.

Since I took a budget flight from London to Sarajevo, I decided to offset my emissions using Climate Neutral Now.

2. How I Offset My Travel Emissions with Climate Neutral Now

After calculating my travel emissions, I used Climate Neutral Now to purchase carbon offsets and neutralise the environmental impact of my journey.

Step 1: Calculate Travel Emissions

To determine how much CO₂ my trip produced, I used:

ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator – Best for estimating emissions from flights.

Carbon Footprint Calculator – Includes flights, buses, and accommodation emissions.

My flight from London to Sarajevo emitted approximately 350 kilograms of CO₂.

Step 2: Choose a Climate-Neutral Project

On the Climate Neutral Now platform, I selected a UN-certified carbon offset project. Some of the best projects include:

Reforestation in South America and Africa – Planting trees to absorb CO₂.

Renewable Energy Projects in Developing Countries – Supporting wind, solar, and hydro power.

Energy-Efficient Cookstoves – Reducing deforestation and improving air quality in rural communities.

Step 3: Purchase Carbon Offsets

For my 350-kilogram CO₂ flight, I purchased 0.35 tonnes of CO₂ offsets, which cost approximately £5–£10. This small contribution helped fund sustainable projects that balance out my emissions.

Step 4: Travel Guilt-Free and Spread Awareness

After offsetting, I received a certificate from the UN confirming my contribution. I also encourage fellow budget travellers to do the same because it is affordable, simple, and impactful.

3. Budget-Friendly Ways to Reduce Carbon Emissions While Travelling

Fly Less, Travel Overland When Possible

Instead of flying, consider taking a combination of trains and buses. While this might take longer, it can be significantly cheaper and better for the environment.

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar offer budget-friendly options for overland travel through Europe.

The Eurostar to Paris and train connections through Germany and Croatia are lower-emission alternatives.

Pack Light to Reduce Flight Emissions

Airlines burn more fuel when carrying heavier loads, so bringing only carry-on luggage helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Travelling light also saves money on baggage fees with budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Choose Sustainable Accommodation

Book eco-friendly hostels and hotels that use renewable energy and water-saving initiatives.

Stay with locals through Couchsurfing or Airbnb, which often has a lower environmental impact than large hotel chains.

Look for accommodations that provide free breakfast to reduce food waste and expenses.

Eat Local and Reduce Waste

Support local markets, street food vendors, and small restaurants instead of chain restaurants that have a larger carbon footprint.

Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid single-use plastics.

If self-catering, shop at local farmers’ markets and avoid excessive packaging.

Use Public Transport, Walk, or Cycle

Sarajevo and other Bosnian cities are very walkable, reducing the need for taxis.

Many European cities have affordable bike rental schemes.

Use buses and trams instead of renting a car, as public transport has a much lower CO₂ output per passenger.

4. The Cost of Carbon Offsetting – Is It Worth It?

One of the biggest concerns for budget travellers is whether carbon offsetting adds too much cost to a trip. In reality, offsetting emissions is incredibly affordable:

Offsetting a return flight from London to Sarajevo costs approximately £5–£10, depending on the project chosen.

This is less than the price of a single meal at the airport.

If you are using buses and trains, your emissions are already lower, meaning offsets will cost even less.

For the small price of a coffee or a meal, carbon offsetting allows travellers to take responsibility for their emissions and support global sustainability projects.

5. Final Thoughts – Travelling Sustainably Without Breaking the Bank

Travelling on a budget does not mean ignoring environmental impact. By combining low-cost travel strategies with carbon offsetting, it is possible to see the world while reducing your carbon footprint.

Key takeaways from my London to Bosnia trip:

✔ Flying is often unavoidable, but offsetting emissions is easy and affordable

✔ Budget-friendly overland travel options can reduce emissions further

✔ Sustainable travel choices, such as packing light, using public transport, and eating locally, make a difference

✔ Carbon offsetting is cheap, costing as little as £5 per trip

For budget travellers who want to make a positive impact, Climate Neutral Now provides a simple, effective way to balance out travel emissions.

Would you consider offsetting your emissions on your next trip? Let me know your thoughts!

Carbon offsetting for travellers
Budget travel and sustainability
How to offset flight emissions
Eco-friendly travel from London
Sustainable budget travel tips