Delta Air Lines plans to spend $1 billion over the next decade to become carbon neutral.
According to CEO Ed Bastion, the airline will spend money to reduce its carbon footprint by ‘decreasing the use of jet fuel and increase efficiency.’
"There’s no challenge we face that is in greater need of innovation than environmental sustainability, and we know there is no single solution," Bastian said.
"Though we don’t have all the answers, we know that our scale, along with investments of time, talent and resources will bring meaningful impact to the planet."
The money will go toward offsetting on renewal projects in ‘forestry, wetland restoration, grassland conservation, marine and soil capture.’
Nonprofit organisation Air Transport Action Group said passenger flights produced 915 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019, and the industry accounts for about 2% of man-made carbon dioxide emissions.
Greenpeace was unimpressed with Delta’s pledge.
"Carbon offsets aren’t a ‘get out of jail free’ card. Companies need to reduce emissions, not pay other people to clean up their mess," said Greenpeace spokesman Ryan Schleeter.
"There is no way out of the climate crisis that does not include phasing out fossil fuels and initiating a just transition to renewable energy. That’s where Delta’s efforts are best served."
