British Airways has begun offsetting the emissions from all of its UK domestic flights as part of its ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050.
As of 1 January 2020, emissions released by BA flights are being offset through investments in verified carbon-reduction projects around the world.
BA operates up to 75 domestic flights per day across routes that link London with Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, the Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast City, Inverness and Jersey.
In addition to its offsetting scheme, the UK carrier plans to reach its net-zero emissions goal by flying more fuel-efficient aircraft, investing in sustainable fuels, and changing its operating procedures.
Parent company IAG has invested $400 million into a partnership with renewable fuels company Velocys that is building a plant to convert household and commercial waste into sustainable jet fuel.
“We know that air travel continues to grow, but we also know that our future has to be sustainable,” states BA chief executive Alex Cruz. “Solving the complex issue of climate change requires a multifaceted response, and offsetting emissions on all flights within the UK is just one step that we are adopting to reduce our environmental impact while more solutions to decarbonise are found.
“Our emissions-reduction projects are carefully chosen to ensure they are proven and deliver real carbon-emission reductions as well as economic, social and environmental benefits.”
Customers flying outside the UK are meanwhile now able to use BA’s offsetting tool to make their flights carbon neutral, enabling them to calculate their emissions and contribute to CO2 reduction projects in Peru, Sudan and Cambodia.
This will add roughly £1 ($1.30) to the price of a return economy flight from London to Madrid and about £15 to a business-class ticket between London and New York.
