A 2018 study posits that India has the world’s fourth-largest carbon footprint from tourism and that tourism releases four times more carbon into the atmosphere than previously thought.

As India’s economy grows and domestic and international travel increase, the demand for flights, buses, hotels and other tourism services places growing pressure on carbon emissions. These activities consume energy, rely on fossil fuels and contribute to global warming. While tourism is essential for economic growth, employment and cultural exchange, eliminating travel altogether is neither practical nor desirable. 

Instead, the focus must be on reducing emissions and addressing those that cannot be avoided. A possible solution could be to estimate the carbon footprint of journeys and allowing travellers to contribute towards verified climate projects, including forest conservation and renewable energy. 

By integrating these options into travel bookings, the economy can encourage responsible tourism, mobilise climate finance and complement direct emission reductions while working towards its net-zero target. 

Channelling technology to calculate carbon emissions

Climes is an Indian climate-tech startup founded by Anirudh Gupta and Siddhanth Jayaram in November 2021. It aims to make climate action simple, accessible and affordable by integrating carbon footprint calculations and climate finance into everyday purchases.

Climes uses technology to calculate carbon emissions generated by activities such as travelling by bus or plane, attending events and purchasing products. These calculations use United Nations-certified models. Complex emission calculations are converted into an Application Programming Interface (API), enabling partner businesses to integrate carbon footprint estimation and offsetting options directly into their platforms.

A clime is a fractional carbon-credit instrument; one clime represents one kilogram of carbon neutralised. Unlike conventional carbon credits, which are typically measured in tonnes, this kilogram-based approach makes climate action easier for ordinary consumers to understand. 

Customers can purchase climes for  a certain amount. 

After purchasing climes through partner platforms, customers could visit the Climes website and select environmental projects to support. These projects included forest restoration, renewable energy, electric mobility and waste-to-energy initiatives. Thus, the technology connects emission estimation, consumer payments and funding for climate-related projects through a single digital ecosystem.

A cinematic case study 

‘Operation Safed Sagar’ demonstrates how the film industry can take meaningful climate action by making sustainability a collective responsibility. The project became India’s first carbon-neutral on-ground production, measuring its total carbon footprint at approximately 1,237 tonnes of CO₂e. With support from Climes and Life First, the team implemented waste segregation, reusable bottles and sustainable catering practices while tracking emissions throughout the shoot. 

Crucially, 270 crew members voted to decide how the production’s climate contributions would be allocated across seven environmental projects. A total of 1,106 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were retired through verified carbon credits, while 1,630 trees across eight species were planted, with their potential to absorb approximately 468 tonnes of CO₂e over ten years. The initiative also supported local communities through food and supply distribution, demonstrating benefits beyond carbon management. 

By combining measurable emissions accounting, employee participation, environmental restoration and community support, Operation Safed Sagar shows how film productions can move beyond awareness to tangible action. Its carbon-positive ambition offers a replicable model for studios seeking to reduce their environmental impact and inspire wider adoption of sustainable production practices across India’s entertainment industry. 

Making climate finance accessible

By embedding climate action into familiar consumer experiences rather than requiring people to seek out environmental projects independently, Climes ensures customers can do their bit for the planet. 

Overall, Climes combines digital technology, carbon accounting and climate finance to encourage individual participation in environmental initiatives. Its model can mobilise funding for sustainability projects at scale. However, the actual climate benefit depends on the quality, verification and permanence of supported projects. Carbon offsetting should complement, not replace, direct reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthering India’s green goals

A model like Climes can support India’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by making climate action accessible to individuals and businesses. By integrating carbon footprint calculators into platforms such as bus booking websites, travel portals and shopping applications, it enables consumers to understand the environmental impact of their daily activities and contribute to climate-friendly projects.

The funds collected can support renewable energy, forest conservation, electric mobility and waste management initiatives. These projects can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, protect natural carbon sinks and promote sustainable development. Furthermore, partnerships with businesses can encourage companies to measure their emissions and adopt greener practices.

At a national level, scaling such models could mobilise private funding for climate projects, increase public awareness and encourage responsible consumption. However, carbon offsetting must complement direct emission reductions, such as expanding public transport and renewable energy. With transparent accounting and verified projects, models like Climes can contribute to India’s net-zero target by 2070 while supporting inclusive, sustainable economic growth.