British Airways has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to climate action by investing over £9 million in innovative carbon removal projects both in the UK and internationally. This six-year agreement marks a pivotal move for the airline, showcasing its dedication to intensifying its efforts towards achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
The airline’s investment portfolio features a diverse range of projects, each tackling carbon emissions in unique ways. One intriguing initiative in Scotland involves capturing CO2 emissions from whisky distilleries and transforming them into sustainable building materials, a clever way to repurpose waste and create valuable resources. Another UK-wide project utilizes enhanced rock weathering, a technique that safely sequesters carbon for thousands of years, offering a long-term solution to climate change. Additionally, British Airways is supporting high-durability reforestation projects in Scotland and Wales, expanding forested areas and enhancing carbon absorption.
The airline’s commitment extends beyond the UK, with investments in projects in Canada that remove carbon from rivers and oceans using alkaline rock particles, a cutting-edge approach to tackling marine pollution and carbon sequestration. In India, British Airways is supporting a biochar project, empowering female farmers while promoting soil health and crop productivity, demonstrating the airline’s dedication to sustainable practices with social impact.
To ensure the success of its carbon removal efforts, British Airways has partnered with CUR8, a UK-based firm specializing in sourcing premium carbon removal credits. Through this collaboration, the airline has secured 33,000 tonnes of credits, marking a crucial step in scaling up the carbon removals sector, which is recognized by scientists, governments, and regulators as a vital tool in combating climate change.
Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “As we approach the halfway point in this critical decade of action, we’re sharpening our focus on delivering real, tangible progress by 2030. 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.”
Carbon removal is a critical component of achieving net zero emissions, involving the extraction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and its secure storage for extended periods, ideally centuries. British Airways’ carbon removal portfolio encompasses a variety of methods, including sequestering carbon in trees and soils, capturing CO2 directly from the air, and safely storing it underground through enhanced rock weathering techniques. This diverse approach reflects the airline’s commitment to exploring and investing in multiple promising solutions.
British Airways has solidified its position as the largest buyer of carbon removals in the UK and a leading airline globally in this field. This significant investment, alongside previous purchases, demonstrates the airline’s dedication to driving the growth of carbon removal initiatives both in the UK and internationally.
Marta Krupinska, CEO of CUR8, highlighted the importance of carbon removals for the aviation sector, stating, “British Airways understands that carbon removals are not a nice-to-have, but an essential part of the aviation sector’s net zero journey. We’ve been proud to partner with this aviation leader to build a portfolio that combines the best of nature and human engineering, stretching from UK soils to the oceans and rivers of Canada. At CUR8, we bring together the world’s leading scientists and climate software to help organisations source and manage carbon removals to help de-risk their net zero future. British Airways is a leading brand that recognises that with this early investment, it can help to make an impact not only for themselves but for the industry at large.”
British Airways’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond carbon removal. In 2019, the airline became one of the first in the industry to pledge net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Its 2030 strategy emphasizes fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the organization. This includes setting new internal carbon reduction goals, launching a comprehensive sustainability learning program for employees, and identifying further opportunities for positive change.
Beyond its collaborations with CUR8, British Airways has also acquired carbon removal credits from Climeworks, a company operating the world’s largest Direct Air Capture facilities in Iceland, with plans for international expansion. The airline has also partnered with 1PointFive, a US company developing a Direct Air Capture facility in Texas. Approximately one-third of British Airways’ emissions reductions by 2050 are anticipated to stem from significant carbon reduction and removal efforts across various sectors. Since 2019, the airline has actively supported research and innovation to accelerate the development of advanced solutions in this crucial area.
Recognizing the pivotal role of innovation in tackling climate challenges, British Airways has joined The Earthshot Prize as a Global Alliance Member. Established by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize aims to identify, highlight, and scale groundbreaking environmental solutions needed to heal and rejuvenate the planet. Through this partnership, British Airways will contribute to the discovery and acceleration of innovative, scalable climate solutions that benefit both people and the environment, including alternative fuels and efforts to reduce single-use plastics. Notable past recipients of the prize include LanzaTech, a carbon recycling company that collaborates with British Airways’ sustainable aviation fuel partner, LanzaJet, to bring cutting-edge sustainable technologies to market. Another recent partner is Notpla, a company specializing in biodegradable packaging. British Airways intends to explore additional collaborations with future Earthshot Prize winners.
These new partnerships and a commitment to immediate action align with the airline’s ongoing progress toward its sustainability objectives. Current initiatives include investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) projects in the UK and USA, with about 1% of SAF regularly integrated into existing pipeline infrastructure at Heathrow. The airline is also modernizing its fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft and enhancing operational efficiency both in the air and on the ground. This year, British Airways has upgraded its ground vehicle operations at Heathrow, achieving over 90% of its vehicles and equipment being zero emissions, hybrid, or operating on HVO fuel. This multifaceted approach demonstrates the airline’s comprehensive strategy for reducing its environmental impact.
