British Airways offers access to carbon removal credits via new initiative

British Airways passengers are being offered the option to buy certified carbon removal credits via an upgraded new online resource. 

The CO2llaborate climate platform enables travellers to understand their flight emissions and take steps to address their climate impact before or after their journey or directly from their seat on board.

By adding carbon removals to the options available on CO2llaborate, customers have more control and choice on ways to address the carbon footprint from their flights, according to the carrier. 

Users can calculate their flight emissions and use an adjustable slider to select the amount of sustainable aviation fuel versus verified carbon removals, or SAF versus verified carbon offsets they wish to purchase.  

The new proposition is believed to be the first time an airline has offered customers this range of options to address their emissions.

They can do this via the airline’s CO2llaborate platform to estimate and address their carbon emissions when flying.

Two recognised and independently certified carbon removal projects are featured, with more projects planned to be added over time.

The first is Pakistan-based Blue Carbon Mangrove Project support greenhouse gas removal by reforestation and revegetation of about 225,000 hectares of degraded tidal wetlands with mangrove and other species to absorb carbon dioxide, stabilise the area and protect the coast and communities.

The second is the Freres Biochar project in Oregon, US, where a biomass power production plant produces biochar, a carbon-rich charcoal-like material that is created when agricultural and wood waste is used as fuel. The process locks carbon into the solid material and prevents it from naturally decaying, locking carbon away and keeping it out of the atmosphere for hundreds of years.

While the airline offsets the carbon emissions on all its flights within the UK, passengers flying overseas are already able to purchase verified, high-quality carbon offsets and SAF, which is added to the existing fuel pipeline at Heathrow.

BA sustainability director Carrie Harris said: “In 2019, when we committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we identified that a vital way to meet this goal would be by using carbon removals and we currently expect that these could contribute up to a third of our total action. 

“While we continue to drive action to reduce our emissions now, including by improving operational efficiency, investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft and scaling up the availability of sustainable aviation fuel, we’re excited to be supporting research and innovation to accelerate the scale-up of carbon removals solutions.

“By choosing carbon removals projects as part of their action to address the emissions associated with flying, our customers are not only joining us on our journey to a more sustainable future, but also helping accelerate the development of the vital carbon removal industry.”