Canada’s flag-carrier has joined the net-zero by 2050 club. Today, Air Canada announced an ambitious new environmental target and the broad outlines of how it intends to get there. A fuel-efficient fleet along with investments in sustainable aviation fuels and carbon capture technology will help advance de-carbonization in the airline industry, the carrier said.
Some believed that the COVID-19 crisis would set commercial aviation’s environmental work back as airlines would be more focused on recovery rather than sustainability. Others say that this is the perfect opportunity for carriers to regroup and recommit to environmental targets, to emerge on the other side of the pandemic with a greener game than ever.
One of the airlines making the most of the temporary lull in operations with a bold statement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is Air Canada. The Star Alliance carrier announced today that it has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
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2030 targets
The airline has first set a less-than-mid-term target of reducing emissions from flights by 20% and ground operations by 30%, by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline. Furthermore, Air Canada says it will invest CA$50 million (US$40 million) in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), as well as carbon reduction and removal.
“Climate change is critical, and we believe we can and must do more to address this for the future of our environment. This is why we are further embedding climate considerations into our strategic decision-making, and undertaking a very ambitious plan that is meaningful, will support Canada’s leadership position on climate change, advance de-carbonization in the airline industry while keeping fares affordable for customers,” Michael Rousseau, President and CEO at Air Canada said in a statement.