Budget airline EasyJet is set to operate net zero carbon flights across its network by offsetting its fuel emissions.
In a world first for a major airline, the cost of offsetting will be approximately £25m in the next financial year, with the money being spent on, for example, tree-planting projects or measures to avoid additional carbon dioxide emissions.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren admitted, however, that the airline industry needed to find longer-term solutions to its environmental impact. “We recognise that offsetting is only an interim measure, but we want to take action on our carbon emissions now,” he explained. “Aviation will have to reinvent itself as quickly as it can.”
The budget airline’s pledge exceeds those of rival airlines. British Airways, for example, has promised to become carbon-neutral by 2050, and to start offsetting all domestic flights in 2020.
Meanwhile, US airline Delta has committed $1bn to becoming carbon neutral over the next 10 years. It says it will achieve this by decreasing its use of jet fuel and increasing the efficiency of its planes; offsetting its carbon dioxide emissions by investing in sustainability projects; and urging employees, partners and its supply chain to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.
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Budget airline EasyJet is set to operate net zero carbon flights across its network by offsetting its fuel emissions.
In a world first for a major airline, the cost of offsetting will be approximately £25m in the next financial year, with the money being spent on, for example, tree-planting projects or measures to avoid additional carbon dioxide emissions.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren admitted, however, that the airline industry needed to find longer-term solutions to its environmental impact. “We recognise that offsetting is only an interim measure, but we want to take action on our carbon emissions now,” he explained. “Aviation will have to reinvent itself as quickly as it can.”
The budget airline’s pledge exceeds those of rival airlines. British Airways, for example, has promised to become carbon-neutral by 2050, and to start offsetting all domestic flights in 2020.
Meanwhile, US airline Delta has committed $1bn to becoming carbon neutral over the next 10 years. It says it will achieve this by decreasing its use of jet fuel and increasing the efficiency of its planes; offsetting its carbon dioxide emissions by investing in sustainability projects; and urging employees, partners and its supply chain to take action to reduce their carbon footprint.