Yesterday, British Airways signed a deal making it both the largest carbon removals purchaser in the UK and the largest airline purchaser of carbon removals.

Carbon removal captures CO2 “directly from the atmosphere and from biogenic emission sources, before storing it in reservoirs such as geological formations, forests, soil or products for the long term.”

The UK flag carrier will purchase over £9 million worth of carbon removals credits in the UK and overseas as part of a six-year agreement.

Highlighting the wider significant of this deal, Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, explained:

“We know flying has a significant impact on the planet, and achieving net zero by 2050 requires bold, innovative action today, as well as long-term transformation, and our latest investments in carbon removals reflects this commitment. While small in comparison to our total emissions, these projects are crucial in stimulating the carbon removals market. By supporting pioneering solutions, we’re not only contributing to immediate progress but also laying the groundwork for the large-scale changes needed to meet our climate goals. There is no pathway to net zero for aviation without carbon removals.”

Some of the projects in this portfolio include capturing CO2 emissions from whisky distilleries to repurpose into building materials, enhanced rock weathering to lock away carbon, high-durability reforestation projects, and the removal of carbon from rivers and oceans using alkaline rock particles.

Adopting an innovative approach to sustainability will be a key theme at this year’s World Aviation Festival. To learn more about what to expect, watch this brief interview with Lukas Kaestner, Co-Founder & CCO Sustainable Aero Lab – book your ticket now!

 

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