In what the airline referred to as a "perfect carbon-neutral" flight, a British Airways Airbus A320neo flew from London to Glasgow powered by a mix of 35 percent recycled cooking oil and conventional jet fuel.
British Airways has successfully completed its first passenger flight using recycled cooking oil.
In what the airline referred to as a “perfect carbon-neutral” flight, BA’s Airbus A320neo flew from London to Glasgow powered by sustainable aviation fuel comprising a mix of 35 percent recycled cooking oil and conventional jet fuel.
The sustainable fuels available today are not a scalable solution for the industry. To suggest that this a long-term path to decarbonize aviation would be misleading.- Cait Hewitt, policy director, Aviation Environmental Federation
The company said that the rest of the emissions were offset using “high-quality, verified carbon offsets.”
“This flight offered a practical demonstration of the progress we’re making in our carbon reduction journey,” Sean Doyle, the company’s chief executive, said. “By working together with our industry partners, we’ve delivered a 62 percent improvement in emissions reductions compared to a decade ago.”
See Also:Climate Change CoverageThe airline said the combination of fuel, optimal flight paths, the newest plane and electrified airport vehicles reduced carbon emissions drastically in an effort to decarbonize ahead of the upcoming COP26 summit taking place in the United Kingdom.
Only one engine was used to taxi along the runway for takeoff and the second engine was turned off after landing. To increase efficiency further, aircraft computer systems worked out the ideal flying altitude for fuel while factoring in wind, and plane climb speeds.
While the BA1476 flight still produced 6.4 tons of carbon, the airline said it contributed 62 percent less than a similar journey 10 years ago.
BA said the carbon-neutral flight improvement was achieved by using a more efficient aircraft and sustainable fuel. For the London to Glasgow flight, the airline used an Airbus A320neo, “the quietest and most fuel-efficient short-haul aircraft” in its fleet.
While most of the factors involved in making the carbon-neutral flight successful are not always present and British Airways customers should not expect such flights any time soon, the airline sought to demonstrate that achieving net zero-carbon emissions is possible by 2050.
“This marks real progress in our efforts to decarbonize and shows our determination to continue innovating, working with governments and industry, and accelerating the adoption of new low-carbon solutions,” Doyle said.
John Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow International Airport, said BA’s flight demonstrated that solutions for net-zero carbon emissions exist, but still need to be scaled up.
However, not everybody agrees with BA’s approach.
“It’s important to realize with sustainable fuels that these are net emissions,” said Cait Hewitt, the policy director of the Aviation Environmental Federation. “You still get as much CO2 coming out of the back of the aircraft as you do with conventional fuels.”
“The sustainable fuels available today are not a scalable solution for the industry,” she added. “To suggest that this a long-term path to decarbonize aviation would be misleading.”
More articles on: climate change, environment, sustainability
Sep. 28, 2023
Regenerative Ag Practices Improve Profitability of Steep-Slope Olive Farms
After finding that soil health improved in abandoned steep-slope olive groves, researchers determined organic and regenerative farming could yield similar results.
May. 14, 2024
Innovation and Sustainability Yield Winning Results for GangaLupo
Teamwork, the responsible use of resources and innovation underpin the success of the Apulian Coratina monovarietal.
Sep. 18, 2023
Storms in Greece Flood Olive Groves, Damage Trees
Heavy rain and hailstorms swept across Greece, damaging olive trees ahead of the upcoming harvest and raising concerns over the spread of disease.
Aug. 10, 2023
Asphalt Made with Olive Oil Byproducts Used to Pave a Highway in Spain
Local officials said the experimental asphalt is more environmentally friendly to manufacture, safer for workers and could provide new revenue for producers.
Apr. 12, 2024
Olive Growing Starting to Take Root in Central Europe
As climate change makes Central European winters milder and drier, farmers in Austria and northeastern Croatia are beginning to plant olives.
Dec. 3, 2023
2023 Is the Hottest Year on Record; 2024 Will Likely Be Hotter
The average global temperature in 2023 was 1.40 ºC above the pre-industrial average, with many olive-growing regions bearing the brunt of extreme heat.
May. 27, 2024
Improved Water Efficiency Paramount to Future of California Farmers, Officials Say
Growers will need to save more water and use less as the state will likely become drier in the long term.
Jun. 6, 2024
Italian Carbon Credit Supplier Receives International Accreditation
Through the Alberami project, Italian olive farmers can generate and sell carbon credits on international markets.