You. Smart. Thing. integrates with CUR8
At ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST), our mission is to make travel smarter, greener, and more sustainable. We’re thrilled to announce a new integration with CUR8, a leading carbon removals provider, that enables individuals and businesses to take meaningful climate action by counter-balancing travel-related carbon emissions through durable carbon removal projects. This integration is available to all YST clients, giving them the option to enable visitors, audiences, participants and even their suppliers to balance travel emissions with high-quality carbon removals.
Why the YST x CUR8 Integration Matters
‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST) is the leading travel demand management and visitor travel planning platform for venues, events and destinations. The YST travel assistant service generates personalised, low-carbon travel plans that nudge individuals towards sustainable, active travel. YST technology also improves visitor experience and accessibility, reduces strain on the transportation network, and captures valuable data on people movement and associated CO2e emissions.
While event organisers, venues and destinations are advancing efforts to reduce operational emissions, through renewable energy, sustainable catering and collaborating with their supply chain, addressing travel emissions remains a significant challenge. Deploying the YST travel assistant service positively shifts travel behaviour, however, carbon emissions are inevitable until private and public transport solutions can be fully decarbonised.
Travel emissions continue to account for a substantial proportion of event carbon footprints.
‘Travel is the single largest source of carbon emissions from festivals. On average, over 41% of emissions generated by festivals are a direct result of audience travel, increasing to 58% when including supply chain travel.’ (AGF Festival Carbon Footprint Report 2022/23)
That’s where the YST x CUR8 integration comes in. CUR8’s portfolio of durable carbon removal projects ensures that residual travel emissions are effectively removed. CUR8 diligences and manages investments in the most robust carbon removal projects so carbon removal claims are fully delivered and de-risked. This partnership empowers individuals using the YST travel assistant service to contribute directly to real, verified, and lasting climate solutions.
Working towards net zero emissions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides robust scientific data and pathways to net zero, stressing that achieving global net zero by 2050 is crucial for limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avoid catastrophic impacts, while highlighting the need for equitable climate action across the globe.
To achieve net zero, organisations and individuals must:
- Measure and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Implementing strategies such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and supply chain management. Emission reduction initiatives are critical to any net zero strategy.
- Remove Unavoidable Emissions: For emissions that cannot yet be fully reduced to zero, like those from bus, rail, or international air travel, purchasing durable carbon removal credits helps neutralise the remaining impact.
YST technology plays a vital role by accurately measuring and reducing travel emissions. The system calculates an individual’s travel carbon footprint using the UK government’s CO2e emissions formula, ensuring an accurate contribution based on the distance, route, and modes of travel selected. The integration with CUR8 ensures unavoidable travel-related emissions can be removed in a net zero aligned way.
CUR8’s Carbon Removal Portfolio: Where Does Your Money Go?
When you purchase carbon removals through the YST x CUR8 integration, your contribution supports a diversified portfolio of projects designed for durability, impact, and scalability. Our recommended portfolio is indexed to the Social Cost of Carbon figure of £150/t, at these prices your travel emissions can be counter balanced using the most permanent removals solutions.
Here’s a breakdown of where your money goes:
- Biochar (expected contribution to the overall portfolio = 25%)
- What it is: Biochar is created by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, resulting in a carbon-rich charcoal that can store carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.
- Speed of Impact: Fast, less than 24 hours.
- Durability: 100 to 1000+ years carbon storage.
- Benefits: Improves soil health and water retention.
- Durable Trees (expected contribution to the overall portfolio = 35%)
- What it is: Afforestation and reforestation projects that strategically plant trees to restore or create new forested areas.
- Speed of Impact: Slow, trees take 5 to 100 years to take up atmospheric carbon.
- Durability: 40 to 100+ years carbon storage.
- Benefits: Enhances biodiversity and supports local communities.
- Inorganic Soil Carbon (expected contribution to the overall portfolio = 22%)
- What it is: Enhancing soil’s ability to store carbon in stable inorganic forms, lasting for millennia.
- Speed of Impact: Medium, measurable each annual harvest cycle.
- Durability: 100 to 1000+ years carbon storage.
- Benefits: Improves soil fertility and water management.
- Enhanced Rock Weathering (expected contribution to the overall portfolio = 10%)
- What it is: Spreading ground silicate rocks on farmland to accelerate natural carbon capture processes.
- Speed of Impact: Slow, 5 to 15 years for the natural weathering process to occur.
- Durability: 1000+ years carbon storage.
- Benefits: Boosts soil health and fertility.
- Direct Air Capture (expected contribution to the overall portfolio = 8%)
- What it is: Advanced technology that directly extracts CO₂ from the atmosphere and stores it underground.
- Speed of Impact: Fast, hours to days.
- Durability: 10,000+ years carbon storage.
- Benefits: High precision and immediate verification.
When a carbon removal order is placed by YST, how long will it be before my contribution will have an impact?
CUR8’s portfolio is designed to ensure swift carbon removal, however some removal methods (Durable Trees, Enhanced Rock Weathering etc.) take years to draw down atmospheric carbon:
- 40% of your contribution is backed by verified carbon removal that has already taken place.
- 100% of the carbon is removed within 5 years.
- The projects provide durable storage, with a significant proportion ensuring carbon remains sequestered for 1,000+ years.
This approach guarantees that your climate action has both short-term and long-term impact.
The London Marathon Events Case Study
The YST x CUR8 integration was first deployed as part of the London Marathon Events (LME) Vitality 10,000 travel assistant service in September 2024. LME adopted this solution to tackle their event emissions, encouraging participants to neutralise their travel emissions.
Looking Ahead: A Net-Zero Future for Event Travel
With the YST x CUR8 integration, we’re making it possible for every event visitor and business traveller to take responsibility for their carbon footprint. This collaboration isn’t just about counter-balancing emissions – it’s about investing in durable, scalable solutions that benefit the planet and future generations.
Join us in making smarter, greener choices and paving the way for a net-zero future in event travel. For more information on how ‘You. Smart. Thing.‘ can help your event, visit our website or contact us directly.
