JetBlue has become the first U.S. airline to announce plans
to offset emissions from all domestic flights.
The carrier, which says it has offset more than 2.6 billion pounds
of carbon dioxide since 2008, will begin full domestic offsetting in July.
JetBlue produces approximately 16 billion tons of carbon dioxide
emissions per year, with the vast majority coming from domestic flying. Spokeswoman
Tamara Young declined to say how much the carbon offsetting will cost.
“This is a hedge against a rising cost on [carbon dioxide]
and understandable customer expectations that we address this unintended
consequence of flying,” Young wrote in an email.
Airlines are increasingly addressing their carbon footprint
in response to rising public awareness of it. Aviation accounts for approximately
2.5% of global emissions.
In the fall, British discount carrier EasyJet became the
first major airline to start offsetting all of its emissions.
JetBlue will partner with U.S.-based nonprofit
Carbonfund.org on its offset program. The carrier will obtain offset credits by
investing in forestry and solar and wind farms, and in the capture of gas from
decaying landfills, which is then converted to renewable energy.
JetBlue said that it will only invest in projects that have
been confirmed as credible by reputable carbon-offset auditors and are
available on a public database.
JetBlue emphasized that it is augmenting its offset strategy
by working to reduce its own emissions. The carrier said it has agreed to
purchase sustainable aviation fuel for operations from San Francisco in
mid-2020. The fuel, to be produced by Finland’s Neste, will be made from
residue oils, greases and animal fats. Neste will refine the raw materials into
biodiesel in Finland. The diesel will then be shipped to Texmark Chemicals in
Galena Park, Texas, for final processing into sustainable jet fuel.
The product will have up to an 80% smaller carbon footprint
over its lifecycle than traditional jet fuel, JetBlue said.