Google is improving again.
In the future, the company would like to support its users in finding more environmentally friendly and more economical routes or low-emission flights.
Mountain View - Traveling by car or plane is a major contributor to carbon emissions and, consequently, climate change.
One reason why Google wants to help its users in the future with additional information to select flights more consciously and to plan travel routes with lower fuel consumption.
The company provides features on Google Maps and Google Flights that show how travel plans can contribute to climate change.
Include CO2 emissions and prices when choosing a vacation flight
"As of today, you will see an estimate of the CO2 emissions in the search results for almost every flight - right next to the price and the flight duration," writes Google in its press release.
“So if you choose between flights with similar costs or similar times, you can also include CO2 emissions in your decision.” For example, a flight from Munich to Rome comes to 202 kg of CO2 with one airline and
just
46 kg
with another
CO2 emissions.
The estimates are "flight and seat specific".
To create the values, the company says it combines data from the European Environment Agency with information it receives from airlines.
For example, data on aircraft types, the travel distance and the number of seats are included.
Not only the fastest, but also the most economical route will be available in the future
You're now taking the most eco-friendly route.
🌱 New Google Maps features help you make more sustainable choices every day, no matter how you get around.
Learn more → https://t.co/uTMNnxoJDM pic.twitter.com/EianDqMIXw
- Google Maps (@googlemaps) October 7, 2021
Anyone traveling by car should soon be able to choose between the fastest route or the route with the lowest fuel consumption.
"For the new function, Google used data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the US Department of Energy," writes
CNN Business
.
It is estimated that “an environmentally friendly route can avoid more than a million tonnes of carbon emissions per year from being released into the atmosphere.” Nice gimmick: the app marks the route that is considered to be the most environmentally friendly with a small green leaf.