Beginning in January 2020, British Airways (BA) will offset the carbon emissions from all its UK domestic flights. That’s up to 75 flights per day between London and ten other UK cities! BA says it is to be the first UK airline to make this move.
The carrier’s services within the UK produce a total of around 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. To offset all this, BA plans on investing in verified carbon reduction projects around the world, such as reforestation programs, rainforest protection schemes, and renewable energy projects.
The airline will offset on passengers’ behalf for domestic services. Meanwhile, passengers on international flights will have the option to pay extra to offset their emissions. The latter scheme is not new.
BA is collaborating with renewable fuel company Velocys and Royal Dutch Shell to submit a proposal for the construction of Europe’s first commercial waste to jet fuel plant. Meanwhile, the International Airlines Group (IAG), British Airway’s sister company, has committed to a net-zero emissions by 2050 goal through “…numerous environmental initiatives, including investing more than US$400m in the development of sustainable aviation fuels over the next 20 years.”
British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Alex Cruz, said:
British Airways is determined to play its part in reducing aviation’s CO2 emissions. To solve such a multi-faceted issue requires a multi-faceted response and this initiative further demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future. It also follows our announcement to partner with renewable fuels company, Velocys, to build a facility that converts household and commercial waste into renewable sustainable jet fuel to power our fleet.
Although for now, they have to continue using carbon-based fuel and just canceling their carbon footprint by funding sustainable projects. IAG’s chief executive, Willie Walsh, said:
We will continue to use a carbon-based fuel throughout. We don’t see a credible alternative. It’s going to be some time until we see an electric or hybrid-electric plane… you’re looking at smaller aircraft capable of flying up to 150 passengers up to 1,000km. The technology to cover the entire network is some time away.
The price tag for offsetting UK domestic flights is estimated to be around €3.2m (£3m) next year.
This initiative follows the Committee on Climate Change, delivering a report explaining how the UK Government has to reduce aviation emissions by about 20% from now until 2050. At the same time, environmentalists are rallying for more action from the airline companies to make sure targets are met. Most recently, a group of Extinction Rebellion protesters marched into the London City Airport to protest aviation emissions.
