What can you do

The best thing anyone can do to cut emissions from flying is to make sure you only take a plane when absolutely necessary. If you can get to where you're going by train, bus or ferry, then why not? For example, the train from London to Edinburgh uses only a third of the CO₂ emissions from flying.

That's impressive. And if everyone did it, the world would be a cooler place. Here's another interesting number. If people who fly three or more times a year were to take one less return flight across Europe, it would save as much energy as taking nearly half a million cars off the road for a year.

So fly less. And save more.

However, we're realistic enough to understand that sometimes flying is necessary - whether for work or because it is the most practical, and frequently cheaper, way to get to your destination. So if you do have to fly, here are some ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.

• Choose a holiday that's nearer - a flight from London to Thailand releases eight times as much CO₂ as a flight to Rome. If you have a choice, it's greener to stay closer to home.
• Avoid stopovers - take-off and landing are the most polluting parts of a flight, so it's better to fly direct. If possible, why not choose a boat, train or bus for shorter legs of your journey? Part of the fun can be getting there!
• Consider offsetting - many travel companies provide carbon offsetting schemes, where a supplement that you pay is invested in a low-carbon initiative. Always read the small print carefully before using such a scheme.