SWISS and Lufthansa Group are Climeworks' first airline customers
The companies are early movers in aviation to boost the scale-up of direct air capture to help fight global warming and secure a more sustainable future for aviation.
Key take-aways:
Climeworks will permanently remove CO₂ emissions from the air on behalf of British Airways using its Direct Air Capture technology.
While initially a small volume, the partnership is designed to help stimulate and then scale the carbon removal market, vital for reaching global climate targets.
Next to in-sector emission reduction measures, carbon removal is essential for the aviation industry to reach net zero.
Climeworks, a global leader in carbon removal, has signed an agreement with British Airways to remove some of the airline’s CO₂ emissions, using its Direct Air Capture technology. While initially a small volume, the partnership is designed to help stimulate and then scale the carbon removal market, vital for reaching global climate targets and helping avoid the worst impacts of climate change. British Airways is the third airline to partner with Climeworks.
Net zero in aviation requires carbon removal
Next to in-sector emission reduction measures, removing hard-to-abate CO₂ emissions remaining by 2050 is imperative for the aviation industry to fulfill its net zero target. Aviation currently has limited alternatives to fossil fuels, making carbon removal essential for helping to address the emissions that cannot be eliminated.
Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, said: “There is no pathway to net zero for aviation without carbon removals. We are delighted to be working with Climeworks, whose Direct Air Capture solution provides permanent, certified removals, which is a unique quality in this young industry. While a small purchase in comparison to our total emissions, we have purchased these carbon removal credits to help stimulate the carbon removals market and help lay the groundwork for the large-scale changes needed to meet our climate goals.”
Stepping up global ambitions
Climeworks currently operates the world’s two largest Direct Air Capture plants in Iceland and has ambitious plans to scale its capacity. However, to eventually remove the required gigatons of CO₂ from the air, a suite of engineered and nature-based carbon removal solutions needs to flourish. This is why Climeworks launched Climeworks Solutions this year, offering holistic, high-quality carbon removal portfolios tailored to the individual needs of companies.
Adrian Siegrist, Chief Commercial Officer at Climeworks
Global carbon removal capacities will not grow fast enough unless we see more ambition and concrete action from the private and public sectors. British Airways is setting a strong example with its portfolio of carbon removal solutions. We look forward to working with them, as they not only understand the magnitude of the challenge but are eager to tackle it head-on.
Learn more about Climeworks’ scale-up journey:
Climeworks receives first ever AAA rating from BeZero Carbon
BeZero awarded Orca with the prestigious rating, a first for Climeworks and for the carbon removal industry.
Climeworks launches portfolio offering
In addition to its existing high-quality carbon removal service, Climeworks now offers tailored portfolios of engineered and nature-based carbon removal solutions.
Lead the race toward net zero
High-quality carbon removal for your climate strategy.