Updated April 2026
Business Air Travel Carbon Mitigation Program
Program Overview
The Business Air Travel Carbon Mitigation Program applies a carbon emissions fee to university-funded air travel and reinvests those funds into campus projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.
Business air travel is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at UC Berkeley, accounting for approximately 10.6% of total annual emissions. At the same, the university has committed to reducing air travel emissions by 70% from the baseline 2019 by 2045, which amounts to a reduction of over 17,000 MT of CO2e.
Achieving this target requires both reducing unnecessary travel and mitigating the emissions from essential travel. This program supports that effort by assigning a cost to air travel emissions and reinvesting those funds into projects that deliver carbon reductions on campus.
The program was launched in 2022 as a pilot with partial departmental participation and manual year-end charges. As of July 1, 2025, it has transitioned to a fully automated, campus-wide model, improving consistency, reducing administrative burden, and eliminating the need for manual adjustments. The program has evolved from pilot projects to a structured portfolio focused on measurable impact, scalability, and transparency.
How It Works
The carbon emissions fee is applied automatically during the travel reimbursement process and charged directly to the funding source used for the trip. The fee is $10 for domestic flights and $25 for international flights. All departments and fund types are included, ensuring a consistent and streamlined approach across campus.
Funded Projects
Funds collected through the program are reinvested into campus projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, contributing to long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.
Since its inception, the program has supported various sustainable initiatives.
This program allows UC Berkeley to implement innovative and necessary projects that otherwise have limited funding sources. Some of these projects–particularly those that reduce energy use or the need to travel–will save the campus money.
Current Projects:
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ULT Freezer Replacement and Rebate Program.
In collaboration with the Energy Office, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), and the Purchasing Department, this program replaces ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers that are over 10 years old with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® models. Apply to the ULT Freezer ProgramULT Freezer Program FAQ
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Sustainable Travel Event.
UC Berkeley hosts an annual Sustainable Travel Event to promote lower-impact travel practices. The 2024 event was held in person with 20 exhibitors, including airlines, hotels, and campus partners. Based on lessons learned, the program transitioned the event to a virtual format to reduce emissions and expand participation.
The most recent event in 2025 was held virtually, with over 230 participants, including staff from across UC campuses. Learn more about UC Berkeley Travel partners.
- Hybrid Meeting Room.
A hybrid meeting space (McCone 404 Pilot) was developed to support virtual and in-person participation, enabling collaboration without requiring travel.
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Forestry Equipment Electrification.
This project supports the transition from fossil fuel-powered equipment to electric alternatives in campus forestry operations.
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Green Laser Pilot.
A pilot initiative to replace conventional research equipment with more energy-efficient laser technologies.
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Cal Move-Out Furniture Reuse.
This initiative diverts furniture from landfill during student move-out and promotes reuse. Learn more about Cal Move Out 2026: https://calmoveout.com/.
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Other carbon reduction initiatives such as communications for behavioral campaigns.
Projects are evaluated using a standardized scoring framework that prioritizes greenhouse gas reductions while also considering innovation, engagement, collaboration and equity.
For more detail, see the Project Scoring Matrix