Oneworld Targets Zero Carbon by 2050
Efficiency, investments, reduction of waste and other measures will allow member airlines to achieve goal
The 13 member airlines of the Oneworld alliance have committed to a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to an announcement, the initiative makes Oneworld the first global airline alliance to unite behind a common target to achieve carbon neutrality.
The alliance says member airlines will develop their individual approaches to reach the target through various initiatives such as efficiency measures, investments in sustainable aviation fuels and more fuel-efficient aircraft, reduction of waste and single-use plastics, and carbon offsets, among other measures. The group says it plans to achieve the target within the existing environmental framework previously agreed to by governments, including through the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Several Oneworld members have been actively pursuing a range of environmental sustainability initiatives already. IAG (the parent of member carriers British Airways and Iberia) was the first airline group worldwide to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Japan Airlines and Qantas have also targeted net zero carbon emissions by 2050, while Finnair aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
Despite the challenges of the coronavirus, Alan Joyce, chairman of oneworld, said, “We have not lost sight of the responsibility we have to reduce emissions in the long term and today’s announcement reflects the strength of that commitment.”
