In 2019, the low-cost airline was the first major airline to announce that it would offset all flights. This is ending now. Easyjet wants to tackle the climate problem differently.
Began as the first – and only – major airline Easyjet three years ago to fully offset the flights of all its passengers. The British are investing in projects to reforest or prevent deforestation in South America and Africa. Or they finance renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal energy or promote a climate-neutral way of life in developing countries, for example by replacing a coal-fired power plant in India with a solar power plant.
But that’s over now. As the airline announced on Monday (September 26), the compensation program will expire at the end of this year. That Easyjet, of all things, on the occasion of the presentation of their announced sounds paradoxical at first. But CEO Johan Lundgren emphasizes that the airline’s plans for CO2– neutrality was the reason for the decision.
Reduce emissions by 78 percent by 2050
“We have always said that compensating is an interim solution until we can show reliable goals for how we can achieve actual improvements,” said Easyjet’s boss. That is now the case. By investing in efficient aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel and operational improvements, the airline is targeting a 78 percent reduction in emissions by 2050, according to Lundgren.
Of course there is demand for CO2-Compensation. But what his airline plans to do is more direct. “If you asked the public, they would hear that the best way to decarbonize industry is with zero-emission technology, and that’s what we’re turning our attention to now,” Lundgren said at an event at the Luton headquarters.
Invest no less than before
When announcing the compensation plans, Easyjet said the whole thing would cost the airline the equivalent of 26 million euros a year. The airline does not reveal how much was ultimately paid for the compensation. But Lundgren said they will not invest less than before.
