Southwest retreats on clean fuel and climate initiatives

Southwest is cutting jobs in its sustainable fuel operations and working to sell a renewables company, according to people familiar with the matter, an abrupt pullback after the carrier spent the past year investing in climate-focused initiatives. Southwest last week laid off seven out of 10 employees on two key teams that work to reduce its climate pollution and increase its use of sustainable aviation fuel, or “SAF,” according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal details. The airline is also eliminating a newly created team that makes investments in renewable fuel startups. That team is being given a couple of months to help unload SAFFiRE Renewables, a company that Southwest acquired just 11 months ago, the people said. SAFFiRE is seeking to develop cleaner fuels from corn husks and stalks. The cuts to Southwest’s sustainability staff were part of the broader layoffs announced on Feb. 17, when the carrier slashed about 1,750 workers, or 15% of its corporate staff. It marked the first round of layoffs in the airline’s 53-year history.<br/>