Ryanair moves to publish monthly CO2 figures

Ryanair has for the first time published monthly figures for its carbon dioxide emissions, in the face of growing pressure on the industry to reduce its environmental impact. Ryanair’s figures show it emitted 1.2m tonnes of carbon dioxide in May, roughly the same amount that New York City produces in a week. The figures, which represent the first time a European airline has published monthly CO2 data, come as Ryanair faces mounting pressure from consumers and environmental groups over its emissions. Recent data from the European emissions trading scheme revealed it as one of the scheme’s top 10 carbon emitters in Europe. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of emissions in Europe. If we leave it unchecked, it will undo a lot of the progress that we are making in other sectors Ryanair said that despite the large headline figure, its emission were lower on a per person, per kilometre basis than most other airlines. Ryanair flights are almost always full, and have no business or first class, making them more carbon efficient than some rivals. Ryanair’s CMO Kenny Jacobs said that the airline wanted to be Europe’s “greenest” and planned to invest more $20bn in a new fleet of Boeing 737s that will be more efficient.<br/>