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CNN's June 20, 2022 Boeing unveils new 777 'ecoDemonstrator' test jet includes the following sentence near the end:

Many airlines have already vowed to offer carbon-neutral flights and explore alternative fuels to reduce pollution.

Question: For these airlines, how do they say they plan to actually make some flights demonstrably carbon-neutral?

Maybe I'm presumptuous, but implicit in my question is that amongst the PR for these future carbon-neutral flights there will be some level of transparency and accounting, but right now I'm just curious how they say explain that carbon-neutral flights actually exist, presumably without shifting the carbon impact to other flights.

Potentially related:

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  • It was a tossup between asking here and asking in Aviation SE. I'm assuming they don't mean this kind of flight :-)
    – uhoh
    Commented Jun 20, 2022 at 20:27

1 Answer 1

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One of the first airlines to initiate sustainability and carbon neutrality in it operations was Qantas.

It has a Carbon Action Plan, which includes things such as:

  • Establishing carbon offsetting schemes.
  • Retiring some aircraft, such as Boeing 747s and Airbus 380s early.
  • Commenced using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) on some flights, particularly those departing California and London. SAF is made from sustainable sources such as used cooking oil, council waste, plant oils, and agricultural residues. SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel. It has also used biofuel.
  • Removal of single use plastic items from its service.
  • The introduction of plant based meals on flights.
  • All Qantas buildings powered by 100 percent renewable sources.
  • Commitment to net zero emission by 2050.

It has also documented its commitment to environmental sustainability.

In terms of carbon neutral flights it appears the airline will try to use sustainable aviation fuels and "encourage" passengers to assist by paying more for their flights by paying a carbon neutrality or carbon offsetting fee which will be spent of forestry schemes the airline has "invested" in.

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  • interesting, it sounds like a bit like a voluntary "guilt tax" for the rich :-)
    – uhoh
    Commented Jun 21, 2022 at 21:28
  • @uhoh: not just for the rich, but the environmentally concerned as well. If they must fly.
    – Fred
    Commented Jun 26, 2022 at 19:57
  • Of the 7.75 billion people on Earth, what fraction not only flies regularly but has sufficient "spare change" to pay a realistic carbon tax on it? I think it's way less than half.
    – uhoh
    Commented Jun 26, 2022 at 20:53
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    @uhoh: Thanks, I'm not surprised. A few days ago, this news item appeared, Rex Airlines announces plan to retrofit existing fleet with electric-propulsion engines in regional trial. Instead of burning jet fuel, the electric motors will be powered by a combination of batteries & hydrogen.
    – Fred
    Commented Jul 29, 2022 at 18:14
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    @uhoh: Very interesting!! I've some things today, thanks.
    – Fred
    Commented Jul 30, 2022 at 7:59

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