British Airways has signed a £11 million agreement with CUR8, the UK-based carbon removal company, to purchase 33,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits over a six-year period. The airline has revealed that this sustainability strategy will position it as the largest purchaser of carbon removals in the United Kingdom.
Background on the deal and what it means for British Airways
These carbon credits represent the physical removal of one tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere, stored for extensive periods. This differs from carbon offsets, which generally aim to protect carbon-absorbing environments or avoid emissions. The agreement is part of British Airway’s plan to achieve its target of becoming net zero by 2050.
British Airways expects carbon removal to account for around one-third of its emissions on its path to net-zero emissions. The airline plans for the rest to come from improvements in aircraft technology, the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and operational efficiencies. This carbon removal project portfolio consists of six initiatives.
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Some of the initiatives included are a Scottish project that captures emissions from whisky distilleries, a restoration effort in Wales, and biochar projects in India. CUR8 evaluated, sourced, and procured the portfolio through a scientific due diligence process. British Airways will use its Credit Management Platform to make sure the investment aligns with the airline’s sustainability goals.
The airline has also purchased credits from 1PointFive, a company creating large-scale direct air capture (DAC) technology. This agreement intends to support emerging carbon removal methods and help develop the market for these technologies. British Airways is working with CUR8 to reduce its emissions and stimulate the carbon removal market.
Final thoughts
British Airways’ significant investment in carbon removal credits signals a growing recognition of the importance of reduction to achieve long-term sustainability goals. While carbon offsets have traditionally been a go-to strategy, this shift towards direct removal highlights the increasing focus on proactive measures to address the existing carbon in the atmosphere.
However, as the airline industry continues to be a major contributor to global emissions, such initiatives raise a thought-provoking question: will carbon removal technologies be enough to compensate for the scale of aviation’s environmental impact? Ultimately, the true challenge will lie in ensuring these efforts scale up fast enough to match the urgency of climate change.
