A high-profile scientist is giving up air travel for a year to reduce his carbon footprint.

Physics professor Shaun Hendy is opting to travel between Auckland and Wellington without air travel.

He's also giving up on regular invitations to travel overseas.

The Auckland University academic told Mike Hosking his flying has created a massive carbon footprint.

"I'm probably down in Wellington once or twice a month, and then I'm probably in Australia a couple of times a year, and I'm might go to Europe or the US or Europe once or twice."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SHAUN HENDY SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING