easyJet updates sustainability plans to cut carbon emissions

easyJet has updated its sustainability plans, aiming to cut carbon emissions by 35% by 2035, with a shift away from offsetting.

The airline said its target has been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), "making easyJet the first low-cost carrier worldwide to have announced this".

The announcement sets out the next phase on the company’s journey to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will focus on new technology with the ambition to achieve zero carbon emission flying across the entire fleet in the long-term.

A number of initiatives include more use of sustainable aviation fuel and plans to become an early adopter in zero carbon emission aircraft “when the technology is available and commercially viable”.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: “Challenging the status quo is in easyJet’s DNA. Today, we’re the first airline to outline an ambitious roadmap in which zero carbon emission technology plays a key role to take us to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. And 82% of the British public agree with us, believing that zero carbon emission flying is the best approach to truly decarbonise aviation.

By implementing our roadmap step by step in the years to come, we’re committed to ensuring there is a sustainable future of aviation for the benefit of the next generation and our planet.”

Creating a greener aviation industry 

The announcement comes as new research by the airline has revealed that over three-quarters of the public (76%) think that companies need to urgently set out how they will achieve net-zero this century and demonstrate how they are operating more sustainably. The same study showed that 82% of Brits think that zero carbon emission flying, for example on hydrogen aircraft, is the best option to truly decarbonise aviation.

easyJet is already working with partners across the industry, including Airbus and Rolls-Royce on several dedicated projects to accelerate the development of zero carbon emission aircraft technology.