Swiss Air, in partnership with the Lufthansa Group, has joined forces with Climeworks, a leading carbon removal company, to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. This partnership marks a significant step towards sustainable aviation and solidifies Swiss Air’s commitment to environmental responsibility. This collaboration will utilize Climeworks’ direct air capture technology to permanently remove unavoidable CO2 emissions.
Swiss Air’s Commitment to Sustainable Aviation with Climeworks
Swiss Air, the first airline to partner with Climeworks, aims to address unavoidable CO2 emissions through this innovative carbon removal technology. This initiative complements Swiss Air’s existing sustainability efforts, which include increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel and investing in relevant climate technologies. This long-term partnership, extending to 2030 with the possibility of extension, underscores the airline’s dedication to achieving net-zero emissions. Furthermore, Swiss Air plans to offer its customers the opportunity to contribute to Climeworks’ carbon removal efforts.
Swiss Air, as part of the Lufthansa Group, has committed to a Science Based Target initiative-validated emissions reduction pathway until 2030. This commitment involves not only reducing operational emissions but also investing in high-quality carbon removal initiatives like the partnership with Climeworks. “The decision to partner with Climeworks…reflects our ambition at SWISS to promote key technologies on the journey to net zero,” says SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx. He emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted approach to achieving aviation sector targets and global climate goals, including scaling sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removal.
The Importance of Carbon Removal in Achieving Net-Zero
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050 requires removing 3-12 billion tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere, in addition to significant emissions reductions. This highlights the urgency for industries, including aviation, to invest in and scale up carbon removal solutions.
Direct Air Capture: A Key Technology for Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Direct air capture technology, beyond its carbon removal capabilities, also holds potential for future sustainable aviation fuel production. Aligning with the International Air Transport Association’s Fly Net Zero strategy, Swiss Air is already utilizing sustainable aviation fuel and investing in fleet modernization and operational efficiency improvements. Swiss Air intends to integrate Climeworks’ carbon removal service into its customer offerings, furthering its commitment to sustainable flying.
Swiss Air’s partnership with Climeworks exemplifies the airline’s proactive approach to minimizing its environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future for the aviation industry. This collaboration signifies a crucial step in utilizing innovative technologies to combat climate change and achieve ambitious emissions reduction targets.
