British Airways Funds Groundbreaking Carbon Removal Technology: Enhanced Rock Weathering

British Airways has taken a significant step towards offsetting its carbon emissions by entering into a partnership with British project developer UNDO to carry out enhanced rock weathering. This process involves spreading crushed-up rocks on the ground to capture and store carbon dioxide, thus helping to combat climate change.

The airline has committed to paying UNDO to remove around 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which represents a small but important step towards reducing its overall emissions. This form of carbon removal, known as enhanced weathering, accelerates the natural process of rocks decomposing and converting carbon dioxide into solids and liquids.

Carrie Harris, British Airways’ sustainability director, emphasized the importance of carbon removal technologies in achieving the company’s climate goals. She stated that while the initial purchase is relatively small, the partnership aims to showcase the potential of such initiatives and attract further investment in carbon removal projects.

To support UNDO’s activities, Standard Chartered bank provided debt financing, and CFC provided insurance for the deal. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of carbon removal technologies in the aviation industry, as traditional methods of reducing emissions are often costly or limited in scope.

The aviation sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, with international agreements setting ambitious targets for net zero emissions by 2050. British Airways’ “Jet Zero Strategy” aims to achieve this goal by investing in carbon removal projects and purchasing carbon offsets, despite projections that its emissions will continue to rise in the coming years.

However, concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of some carbon offset projects previously supported by British Airways. An investigation revealed that certain projects may have overestimated their impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, casting doubt on the effectiveness of such initiatives.

UNDO’s founder, Jim Mann, highlighted the importance of scaling up carbon removal efforts to meet industry commitments to net zero emissions. He emphasized the benefits of enhanced rock weathering, noting its permanence, scalability, and positive impact on soil quality.

While enhanced weathering offers potential benefits in combating climate change, scientists have cautioned about the environmental impacts of scaling up this technology. The mining, transport, and disposal of rocks required for the process can be energy-intensive and may lead to habitat destruction, pollution, and other negative consequences.

As the aviation industry continues to explore innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint, partnerships like the one between British Airways and UNDO demonstrate the potential of carbon removal technologies in achieving sustainability goals. However, careful consideration of the environmental and social impacts of such initiatives is essential to ensure a truly sustainable transition to a low-carbon future.