British Airways signs £9mn worth of carbon removal and CCUS deals

British Airways has announced a raft of agreements to purchase carbon credits from carbon capture, utilisation and storage schemes, as well as reforestation and biochar projects, for a total of more than £9 million.

The airline estimates that about a third of its emissions will have to be offset through carbon removals by 2050, and is attempting to stimulate the market through this initiative – specifically a six-year deal to purchase 33,000 tonnes worth of credits from UK firm CUR8, which specialises in sourcing “high-quality” carbon removals.

The credits will be generated from at least six projects in various locations: one capturing CO2 from Scottish whiskey distilleries and injecting it in building materials, another using “an enhanced rock weathering technique” to store carbon, two reforestation projects in Scotland and Wales, a river and ocean carbon capture scheme in Canada, and a biochar project in India.

British Airways: ‘No pathway to net zero for aviation without carbon removals’

Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, said: "We know flying has a significant impact on the planet, and achieving net zero by 2050 requires bold, innovative action today, as well as long-term transformation, and our latest investments in carbon removals reflects this commitment. 

“While small in comparison to our total emissions, these projects are crucial in stimulating the carbon removals market. By supporting pioneering solutions, we’re not only contributing to immediate progress but also laying the groundwork for the large-scale changes needed to meet our climate goals. There is no pathway to net zero for aviation without carbon removals.”

British Airways tops emissions charts for UK-departing airlines

British Airways’ estimated emissions in 2023 amounted to 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent – far ahead of the next UK-departing airline, Ryanair, at 2.6 million tonnes.

This agreement, combined with previous deals – including the purchase of direct air capture credits from Climeworks – makes British Airways the largest purchaser of removal credits in the UK. 

Marta Krupinska, CEO of CUR8, added: “British Airways understands that carbon removals are not a nice-to-have, but an essential part of the aviation sector’s net zero journey (...) With this early investment, it can help to make an impact not only for themselves but for the industry at large.”