British Airways invests £9 million in carbon removals to accelerate net zero journey
British Airways has announced a significant move in its journey to net zero by becoming the largest purchaser of carbon removals in the UK and the largest airline globally to invest in such projects. This comes as part of the airline’s wider strategy to reduce emissions by 2050, focusing heavily on carbon removal credits.
The initiative is part of British Airways’ commitment to accelerate climate action by 2030, and it includes £9 million in carbon removals purchases over the next six years.
One of the innovative projects includes capturing CO2 emissions from whisky distilleries in Scotland and repurposing them into building materials. Other schemes include enhanced rock weathering across multiple UK locations, storing carbon in trees and soils and carbon removal from rivers and oceans using alkaline rock particles in Canada.
Additionally, British Airways is supporting a biochar project in India that empowers female farmers while enhancing soil biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
In partnership with CUR8, a UK-based firm specialising in sourcing high-quality carbon removal credits, British Airways has purchased 33,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits. These projects, though small in comparison to the airline’s overall emissions, are crucial for advancing the carbon removal sector, which is seen as an essential tool in the fight against climate change.
Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, highlighted the importance of the initiative:
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. 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.
British Airways’ partnership with CUR8 and other companies is part of the airline’s strategy to source carbon removal solutions from both nature and engineered technologies. These initiatives complement other sustainability efforts, such as investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), flying more fuel-efficient aircraft and improving operational efficiency on the ground, where more than 90% of vehicles and equipment at Heathrow are now zero emissions or hybrid.
As part of its commitment to innovation, British Airways has also partnered with The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, to discover and support scalable climate solutions. This partnership aims to highlight and invest in projects ranging from alternative aviation fuels to reducing single-use plastics.
The airline has previously worked with Earthshot Prize winner LanzaTech, which focuses on sustainable aviation fuel technology.
Paul Baker, Sales Director at Global Travel Management, commented:
For UK-based business travellers, British Airways’ pioneering efforts in carbon removal will make a tangible difference in reducing the environmental impact of air travel. This commitment not only supports the development of a vital market but also offers reassurance to businesses that their travel is aligned with a responsible, sustainable future.
Airlines like British Airways are forging ahead in the battle to protect the environment. And business travellers in the UK can play their part by participating in the GTM Carbon Offset Programme.
British Airways’ ambitious approach, including its focus on carbon removal projects and partnerships with innovators like The Earthshot Prize, marks a crucial step towards sustainable aviation. Roughly one third of the airline’s emissions reductions by 2050 will come from carbon removals, underlining the significance of these efforts in tackling climate change.
For more information on how this initiative could impact your business travel plans, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.
