Etihad Airways has committed to a “minimum target” of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The pledge was announced during this week’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with the carrier also committing to halve net emission levels by 2050.
Etihad said that the targets would be achieved “through a mix of internal initiatives, collaboration with industry partners and adoption of a comprehensive program of relevant carbon offsets, to be developed with specific focus on the requirements of the UAE and markets served by the airline”.
The airline recently unveiled a new partnership with Boeing, which will comprise a range of projects, including the testing of environmentally friendly products and initiatives on board a special B787 ‘Greenliner’ aircraft.
Commenting on the news Tony Douglas, group CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, Tony Douglas, said:
“The global focus on the environment and the urgency of reducing carbon emissions has never been greater. Etihad Aviation Group, together with its partners, is taking an active role in reducing the impact of aviation on the environment through initiatives ranging from optimised fuel management to sustainable financing practices.”
“Airlines have attracted significant scrutiny in the global discussion of the environment, and our collective challenge as a fast-growing industry is to deliver meaningful initiatives which can quickly help to contain and reduce carbon emissions.”
Other carriers including British Airways and Qantas have also pledged to cut emissions to net zero by 2050.
