Climate Change and World’s Most Environment Friendly Airlines of 2024

Last Updated: January 11, 2024

Tweet

Pic Source: Wikimedia

Climate change and its effects are looming around. Over the past few years humanity has been trying to explore better ways of living that would cut the carbon footprint, reduce emission and lead this planet to a better future away from the fear of climate change.

Air travel has become an inherent part of human activities and over the years the rate of air travel has been increasing. The air passengers are increasing by 5% each year and commercial flights account for 3% of total global carbon emission.

It has become essential for all airlines to be sustainable and eco-friendly. Looking at the extent of the use of air travel and its potential impact on the environment, the airlines have to take all measures to cut the emission rate and ensure their flights have minimum impact to the environment.

With this accolade we would like to acknowledge the efforts being made by the airline industry to control the causes of climate change. We would also like to request that though the efforts are significant in few developed countries, in the developing countries however still old airplanes are being used and the extent of pollution is still the same. We would also like to pledge that just the effort of one airline or one country is not going to solve this problem, it is a global issue and should be addressed by every single airline flying around the planet.

That being said, every initiative begins with some pioneer. Here we are expressing our recognition to some of the world’s most sustainable and environment friendly airlines of 2024.

American Airlines

A world worth traveling is a world worth protecting. See how we’re investing in a more sustainable airline across our operations. https://t.co/pwrd1OsZPz pic.twitter.com/41oXnXcLZZ

— americanair (@AmericanAir) April 17, 2024

In their Environment Policy statement, American Airlines has made some commitment to adhere to the rules and regulations about sustainable practice and eco-friendly implications.

American is committed to abide by climate actions. For this the airline has implemented an environmental management system (EMS), the company regularly reviews the environment policy, maintenance procedure and system is also maintained to meet the environmental requirements.

American is also expressing its commitment  to reduce emissions by 40% . For this the airline is encouraging the use of more sustainable products, encouraging the use of more sustainable products, considering emissions, fuel and energy use, materials management while making the decision.

The customers are also leaving their reviews for American Airlines based on their effort for environment conservation.

Delta Air Lines

Delta has also expressed its commitment to sustainability and creating a better world as the industry works to reach its sustainability goals. The airline is working every day to reduce Delta’s carbon footprint and making major efforts to reduce the emissions and manage environmental impact.

Delta has announced plans to reduce the emission by 50% by the end of 2025 and announced intention to set science-based targets to achieve net zero GHG emissions no later than 2050.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is one of the early airlines globally to declare a goal of incorporating 10 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into its overall fuel consumption by 2030. Cathay Pacific has acknowledged its responsibility and committed to take all reasonable steps to minimize our environmental impacts.

Cathay Pacific is implementing a comprehensive strategy to decrease its emissions, aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Additionally, the airline is actively transitioning towards environmentally friendly travel options to promote low-carbon transportation.

Alaska Airlines

The primary contributor to climate-impacting emissions for Alaska Airlines is the utilization of conventional jet fuel. To address this, they are emphasizing initiatives aimed at reducing fuel consumption in a safe manner. Moreover, the company is actively pursuing greener alternatives across its operations. Alaska Airlines has expressed a deep commitment to the well-being of the communities they serve, emphasizing their desire to preserve the health and beauty of these communities for future generations.

Alaska emits 12-13% less fuel (and emits 12-13% less CO2) than the average US carrier. Alaska has set new climate goals, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has the goal to set a clear pathway to net zero by 2050. Virgin is planning to achieve 15% gross reduction by 2026 in CO2/RTK through continued fleet transformation and operational efficiency, by 2030 plan is 15% net reduction in total CO2 emissions, including 10% of fuel sourced from sustainable aviation fuel and 40% net reduction in total CO2 emissions by 2040.

Virgin Atlantic has declared its intention to achieve net zero carbon emissions by implementing various measures. These measures include reducing operational carbon emissions, investing in cleaner and more fuel-efficient aircraft, as well as utilizing sustainable aviation fuel. Additionally, the airline is committed to offsetting and removing any remaining carbon emissions to ensure a balance in their environmental impact.

KLM

KLM is using Sustainable aviation fuel as of now they are using  1% with the goal of using more. Besides, the company is organizing different reforestation projects. They are prioritizing to fly their most sustainable flights.They are also increasing the sustainability of our onboard flight experience.

In the KLM climate action plan the company has announced their validated goal of  net zero pathway of the SBTi by 2050.

Conclusion: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Airlines

We express our thanks to all these airlines for admitting that air carriers are responsible for carbon emission causing climate change and they are making efforts to control this pattern. They have announced the goals and objectives to become eco-friendly.

However, all these claims and declarations should be monitored and evaluated. We have to make sure that the investment, money and profits would not overshadow the climate actions.
And most importantly the sustainable and eco-friendly practices should not be the case for only a few handful popular companies. There are over 5,000 airlines companies in the world, all of these companies should be accountable for climate change and they should apply the environment friendly strategy, system and method to ensure a safe planet.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Which is the most environmentally friendly airline?

Though almost all airlines claim themselves to be environment friendly, American, Alaska and KLM are most commonly mentioned as environmentally friendly.

What are airlines doing to be eco-friendly?

The airlines are modernizing the fleets, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), offering carbon offset programs and focusing on waste reduction to be eco-friendly.