Emissions reductions from more efficient aircraft and operations
We’re working to deliver these important aspects today, so that we can achieve our Flightpath Net Zero goal in the future.
Over the coming years, we’ll increase the amount of SAF we use and work across the business to drive operational efficiencies in pursuit of our near-term goals.
We’ll also keep our plans under constant review to ensure we aim higher and move faster wherever new innovations allow.
86gCO2/pkm
Emissions intensity by 2025
10%
SAF by 2030
Carbon intensity initiatives
The carbon intensity of our operations is influenced by several factors including the aircraft type flown, the weight of the aircraft and load factors and operational efficiency procedures. We received new, more fuel efficient aircraft this year, retired our oldest 777’s and our newest aircraft are up to 40% more efficient than the ones they are replacing.
5
A350-1000s
3
787-10s
2
A320 Neos
We implemented a range of initiatives across our operations to help reduce our carbon emissions:
We rolled out a new fuel efficiency dashboard which aims to build awareness and insights to help flight crew make informed choices to help reduce emissions
We accelerated our ground vehicle electric transformation, including trials of eCobus electric passenger buses, electric toilet service trucks and electric ground agent vehicles
We saved 48,546 tonnes of inflight carbon emissions through operational efficiency initiatives
The first phase of our aircraft potable water reduction scheme saved hundreds of tonnes of fuel and resulted in a 1,962t CO2 reduction
89gCO2/pkm
Emissions intensity for 2022
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is produced from sustainable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, and is similar in chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel. Using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel and can drop straight into existing fuel supply infrastructure and aircraft. It has the potential to provide a lifecycle carbon reduction of more than 80% compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces.
Alongside our parent company IAG, who has committed $865 million to SAF investments and purchases, we see SAF as a key solution in our transition to net zero.
29548
tonnes of CO2 saved from 9,980 tonnes of SAF delivered from Phillips 66
We became the first airline in the world to use SAF produced on a commercial scale in the UK after signing a multi-year agreement with Phillips 66 Limited
This SAF is routinely delivered to British Airways at London Heathrow via existing pipeline infrastructure, meaning all our flights from Heathrow fly using a small percentage of SAF mixed with traditional jet fuel
Through IAG, we announced a multi-year agreement with renewable fuels company Aemetis to supply SAF to help power our aircraft flying out of San Francisco from 2025
We began selling SAF to both our direct and corporate customers, helping them address their emissions when they fly
Project Speedbird
Alongside our partners LanzaJet and Nova Pangaea Technologies, we signed an agreement to accelerate Project Speedbird, an initiative created by the companies in 2021 to develop cost-effective SAF for commercial use in the UK. As part of the agreement, we invested in the project to support the next phase of development work that will help decarbonise the aviation industry. The SAF produced at the facility would reduce CO2e emissions, on a net lifecycle basis, by 230,000 tonnes a year. This is equivalent to approximately 26,000* of our domestic flights. Overall, Project Speedbird has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 770,000** tonnes a year.
* Based on the calculated average UK domestic route from 2019 data.
** This figure includes CO2 emission reductions from the production of SAF, renewable diesel and biochar.
Carbon Removals
Alongside IAG, we have supported research and innovation to help accelerate the development of cutting-edge carbon removals solutions since 2019. We’re committed to supporting a variety of innovative carbon removals solutions and projects that are immediately available and independently verified today, as well as innovative technology solutions that will mature in the coming years.
In 2022 we began offering our customers the opportunity to address their carbon emissions by purchasing verified carbon removal credits through our Co2llaborate platform, available to purchase alongside SAF and carbon offsets. One carbon removals project we support was Freres Biochar, Oregon:
Case Study: Freres Biochar, Oregon
The Freres Biochar project in Oregon, USA produces biochar, a carbon-rich charcoal-like material that is created when agricultural and wood waste is used as fuel. The process locks carbon into the solid material and prevents it from naturally decaying or being burned. Biochar has the potential to keep carbon out of the atmosphere for several hundreds of years.
- Biochar is recognised as an atmospheric carbon reductive material because the carbon that is stored in biochar was originally removed from the atmosphere through the photosynthesis of trees
- Biochar can be used for soil fertilisation, regeneration landfill emissions management and water treatment
Carbon Offsets
We continue to address the emissions on our flights within the UK by purchasing high quality, verified carbon offset credits.
For customers flying further afield, they can calculate and address their emissions via the CO2llaborate platform by purchasing a combination of SAF, carbon removals credits and carbon offsets.
Yearly Statistics
Scope 1 CO2e
Direct emissions associated with British Airways operations including use of jet fuel, diesel, petrol, natural gas, and halon. Sources of emissions include aircraft engines, boilers, auxiliary power units and ground vehicle engines. These emissions are primarily CO2 but other greenhouse gasses (GHGs) such as methane and nitrogen oxide are also reported as part of the CO2 equivalent metric.
Measurement: Tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
Net Scope 1 CO2e emissions
Net emissions are calculated by subtracting the emission allowances purchased above the EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) cap and voluntarily purchased offsets.
Measurement: Tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
Scope 2 location-based emissions
Emissions associated with electricity use in, for example, offices, lounges, data centres and hangars.
Measurement: Tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
Scope 2 market-based emissions
Market-based emissions are based on the carbon intensity of electricity purchased from suppliers.
Measurement: Tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
Scope 3 emissions
Indirect emissions associated with key products and services within our supply chain.
Measurement: Tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
Emissions intensity (jet fuel)
Calculated by dividing total jet fuel scope 1 emissions by total passenger-km, assuming one cargo-tonne-km is equivalent to 10 passenger-km.
Measurement: Grammes of CO2e per passenger kilometre (gCO2/pkm)
Renewable electricity
The share of electricity generated by renewable sources such as solar power and wind, based on volumes procured from renewable electricity suppliers. In cases where electricity sources were unavailable, the source of electricity is assumed to be the national grid
Measurement: %
Reduction in GHG emissions from initiatives
Measurement: Tonnes CO2e
Jet fuel usage
Measurement: Million tonnes
Energy intensity scope 2
Measurement: Grammes of scope 2 CO2e per passenger kilometre (gCO2/pkm)
Electricity
Measurement: kWh