Article
Sustainability journey is taking off
Published: Wed 12 Jan 2022 at 10:45
Updated: Wed 12 Jan 2022 at 10:45
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have introduced the first set of major operational changes detailed in their sustainability strategy, including one of the largest airline carbon offsetting schemes globally. The sustainability strategy, launched in September 2021, sets the organisation on path to net zero by 2050, in line with Government targets, however the company aspires to bring this date forward.
One of the headline commitments for 2022 is the launch of Jet2.com’s carbon offsetting scheme, one of the largest such schemes of any airline globally. From 2022, the company will offset every tonne of its carbon emissions not already covered by their contribution to existing schemes (CORSIA and UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes).
Furthermore, as of 1st January 2022, Jet2.com’s ground operations are carbon neutral, making it one of the first European airlines to achieve this, whilst all Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ offices are now carbon neutral and powered by renewable energy.
The initiatives are the first in a series of actions and commitments that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have made as part of a comprehensive sustainability strategy. This sets the company on a path to net zero by 2050, in line with Government targets, however the company aspires to bring this date forward.
Other pledges include:
- The purchase of up to 75 new A321 NEO aircraft which will make travelling with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays even more efficient by further reducing emissions per passenger.
- Using UK-produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by no later than 2026.
- An 80% reduction in single use plastics on aircraft by 2023 (equivalent to removing 11 million single use plastic items by 2023, which is on top of nine million single use items already removed per year prior to 2019).
- Launching a Hotel Sustainability Charter to encourage hotels to receive GSTC certification from 2023.
Jet2.com is already ranked as the 11th most environmentally efficient airline globally, according to the most recent atmosfair* Airline Index, which compares and ranks the 200 largest airlines in the world. The pledges detailed in the Sustainability Strategy build on actions that the company has already taken to make it one of the most efficient airlines in the world, include increasing efficiency across its operations, which has saved over 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 in the last decade (the equivalent of nearly one million cars being taken off the road for a year).
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “The launch of our carbon offsetting scheme today marks the first major step in our journey to net zero. It is our responsibility to pay for every tonne of carbon we emit and today’s announcement makes this a reality, meaning that from 1st January 2022 our customers can be assured that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have their carbon covered.”
“This, however, is just one milestone in our journey to reach our sustainability targets. 2022 also marks the realisation of our carbon neutral ground operations, and we are also powering our offices with 100% renewable energy. This year we will also continue to make strides to develop our commitment to sustainable aviation fuel as well as our hotel sustainability charter, so that we are becoming more sustainable in the air, on the ground, and in resort.”
“We will also be calling on Governments at home and in Europe to match the increased regulation on aviation by taking their own actions to decarbonise the sector. This includes investing the proceeds of the UK & EU Emissions Trading Schemes, as well any other green levies imposed on the aviation industry, directly into decarbonisation as well as reporting on where these proceeds are being invested. We will also continue pushing for airspace reforms across Europe which will dramatically and immediately reduce carbon emissions in EU airspace by at least 10%.”
For further information, please visit: www.jet2holidays.com/sustainability or www.jet2.com/sustainability
* atmosfair is a nonprofit organisation for combating climate change, see more here: www.atmosfair.de/en/air_travel_and_climate/atmosfair_airline_index/
