From today easyJet will be the first major airline to offset the carbon emissions from all of its flights.
easyJet has today announced that it will become the world’s first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights across its whole network. The airline will achieve this goal by offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all of its flights.
easyJet will undertake carbon offsetting through schemes accredited by two of the highest verification standards, Gold Standard and VCS. They will include forestry, renewable and community based projects.
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The airline continues to support the long-term reinvention of aviation through new technology
easyJet aims to stimulate innovation in carbon reduction by supporting the development of technologies that enable hybrid electric and electric planes.
The airline’s already-existing carbon reduction programmes include: transitioning the fleet to more modern and fuel-efficient planes; flying them in order to avoid noise and an unnecessary use of fuel; and maximising passenger loads.
Since 2000 easyJet has reduced the carbon emissions for each kilometre flown by a passenger by over a third (33.67%).
In 2013 the low-cost operator established a public target to reduce its carbon emissions per passenger kilometre. The target was strengthened in 2015 to a 10% reduction on emissions per passenger kilometre by 2022 on its 2016 performance.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s CEO, said:
“We acknowledge that offsetting is only an interim measure until other technologies become available to radically reduce the carbon emissions of flying, but we want to take action on carbon now.”
More on carbon offsetting below: