IAG to outline path to climate neutrality

BA parent IAG will outline its plan to lower emissions, including the use of carbon offsets, when the airline group’s new chief speaks at a UN summit this weekend. CEO Luis Gallego, who is set to address the UN Climate Ambition Summit on Saturday, will provide a road map toward fulfilling IAG’s pledge of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to a spokeswoman for the carrier. IAG was the first in its industry to make the pledge in 2019, though it has been criticized for relying too much on offset measures such as tree-planting for the reduction. It aims to use carbon offsets and removals to compensate for 43% of annual emissions by 2050, according to its carbon-disclosure report. IAG intends not to use offsets at all by that year, the spokeswoman added. IAG has argued that there are few alternatives for airlines for the time being. “For a decade, IAG has been leading aviation’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint,” IAG said. “Unlike other industries, aviation does not have an immediate alternative to fossil fuels but we have a road map to reduce our carbon footprint.” IAG is investing in new planes that are up to 40% more fuel efficient and said it was working with start-ups to explore hydrogen powered aircraft, it said. It is also investing $400m in sustainable aviation fuel made from waste which produce 70% less carbon dioxide, the carrier group said.<br/>