British Airways announces plans to offset carbon emissions on domestic routes

10 October 2019, 10:42

British Airways will become the first UK airline to offset carbon emissions on all its flights within the UK.
British Airways will become the first UK airline to offset carbon emissions on all its flights within the UK. Picture: PA

By Sylvia DeLuca

British Airways has announced measures to reduce the airline's carbon emissions on domestic routes.

The carbon emissions of up to 75 of the airline's domestic flights per day will be offset as the firm invests in carbon reduction projects around the world. It is believed that BA is the first UK airline to adopt this measure.

Routes between London and ten UK cities including Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast City, Inverness and Jersey will be part of the project.

CO2 emissions from BA's services within the UK currently total around 400,000 tonnes per year.

BA says it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by investing in verified carbon reduction projects worldwide, including renewable energy, rainforest protection and reforestation programmes.

Whilst the move will only affect domestic flights, BA will also cap carbon emissions on international flights through the United Nations’ carbon offsetting scheme.

British Airways says passengers travelling further afield can reduce their impact on the environment by using the airline's carbon offsetting tool.

The tool enables customers to calculate their emissions and then invest in carbon reduction projects including high quality forestry and renewable energy projects in Peru, Sudan and Cambodia.

BA has outlined its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
BA has outlined its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Picture: ba.com

Today’s announcement comes as British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), became the first airline group worldwide to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This would contribute to both the UK Government’s commitment to a net zero carbon economy by 2050 and the United Nations’ objective to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group said: "I don’t think we need Extinction Rebellion to tell us there’s something we need to do. We’ve been engaging with environmental groups for years."

British Airways will invest in verified carbon reduction projects around the world
British Airways will invest in verified carbon reduction projects around the world. Picture: ba.com

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “British Airways is determined to play its part in reducing aviation’s CO2 emissions.

"To solve such a multi-faceted issue requires a multi-faceted response and this initiative further demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future.

"It also follows our announcement to partner with renewable fuels company, Velocys, to build a facility which converts household and commercial waste into renewable sustainable jet fuel to power our fleet.”