Don't Be 'Fooled' — True Sustainability Will Take Hard Work.
On my first day as United’s CEO nearly two years ago, I established an ambitious goal to lead us toward a 100% green future?by reducing 100% of our GHG emissions by 2050. That’s not an easy feat when you consider that burning jet fuel is a core requirement of operating our business. At United, we are dedicated to redefining the future of air travel with sustainability at the forefront, not because it’s easy but because it’s simply the right thing to do.?
Earth Month begins today. But since it’s also April 1st, it’s important that none of us are ‘fooled’ into thinking that we can become a more sustainable industry – and planet – with things like carbon offsets?that simply?plant trees.
Traditional carbon offsets are mostly about planting trees and, while there’s nothing wrong with planting trees, it’s simply not enough — we have to do more. Even If we planted every square inch of earth that could grow trees,? by some calculations?it would account for less than a year?of?mankind’s emissions.?There isn’t enough land to plant enough trees to make a lasting difference.?
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When I say United is going to be 100% green, that is different than?many other companies’ sustainability goals because we’re doing it without using traditional carbon offsets. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of our main pillars and one of the fastest solutions to getting to net zero. Currently, United has invested in more SAF production than any other airline. We continue to dedicate our resources to fund emerging technology to unlock access to new, untapped sources for *even more* SAF. We just announced our investment in Cemvita Factory Inc . that has the potential to turn CO2 straight out of the atmosphere into sustainable fuel. We’re also investing in electric and hydrogen planes for our regional fleet and electric taxis to help customers commute from our cities to our hubs. But the most important – and exciting, in my opinion – thing we’re relying on is carbon capture and sequestration.?We will invest?in building technology that, in a single year, can do the work of 40 million trees and unlike planting trees, it’s scalable.?We can build as many plants as we’re willing to invest in. Traditional carbon offsets are very limited in how much of the problem they can actually offset.?
?At United, we’re committed to unique solutions that have the potential to make a game-changing difference for the health of our planet.?
I open doors to international business opportunities
1 年I would like to see more details on ATC mandated holds reported by airport and/or regional ATC control vs just weather delays reported by the individual airlines whose level of consumer creditibility is highly in constant question.
Director of Geoscience Milestone Carbon | CCUS | Petrophysicist | Explorationist
2 年Thoughts on Airbus's hydrogen powered planes for short regional flights?
Call Center Telemarketer en Falabella
2 年Sr. Scott Kirby, necesito hablar con usted, por favor.
Have you seen the documentary with Leonardo DiCaprio Eating Our Way to Extinction? How about offering a single plant-based option for a meal (besides nuts)? As one of the Executive Producers of this film, I tire of reading about ‘sustainability’ initiatives when the single biggest cause of climate change is what’s served on the plate. Not only is the animal based diet killing the planet, it’s killing those eating it as well.
Aviation journalist, editor, consultant and manager
2 年United’s activism and your leadership on this Scott Kirby continues to inspire - keep on keeping on