Commentary: Green offsets let polluting airlines off the hook
Sustainability targets for airlines need to be based on real emissions cuts at their source, says an observer.
BIRMINGHAM, England: The coronavirus pandemic has grounded thousands of aircraft, contributing to the largest-ever annual fall in carbon dioxide emissions. At some point though, the planes will soar again and with them, global emissions.
Most airlines in the UK have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. From 2026, it will become mandatory for airlines worldwide to ensure that their annual emissions stay flat.
But the UK aviation industry also plans to increase the number of passengers it serves by 70 per cent in the next three decades.
To pull this off, airlines will be planning to fly planes at or near full passenger capacity and use cleaner burning fu...