We’re making history by making our carbon history

In 2020, we pledged to become 100% green by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050 – our most ambitious step toward a sustainable future. We’re going beyond traditional carbon offsets and taking a more direct approach to making sustainable aviation the norm.

At United Airlines, we have navigated the tides of doing business in our ever-changing world, committing to innovation every step of the way. When we look at the challenges we have overcome in the past, and look at the ones that lie ahead, we see the ever-growing need for responsible leadership in creating environmental initiatives. We recognize United’s role in climate change; therefore, we are committed to creating sustainable solutions to make a lasting impact on modern-day air travel.

GOING BEYOND CARBON OFFSETS

We’ve looked at the current state of air travel and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that come with it. While purchasing carbon offsets helps, it doesn’t target the source of the problem: the use of fossil jet fuel. Our approach is technology driven, focusing on a three-prong strategy toward decarbonization:

• Reducing our emissions by implementing operational efficiencies and scaling low-carbon sustainable fuels

• Removing carbon emissions by investing in carbon capture and sequestration

• Innovating to drive the next generation of decarbonization solutions

We have been an industry leader in emissions reduction and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deployment. This goes back to 2009, when we became the first U.S. airline to operate a SAF test flight. Since then, we have made the single largest SAF investment to date – with $30 million in biofuels producer Fulcrum BioEnergy in 2015 – and started our continuous use of SAF on flights out of our Los Angeles hub in 2016. In September 2021, we announced an investment in Alder Fuels, which plans to produce carbon negative fuels, coupled with the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history – an agreement to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF produced by Alder over 20 years.

To further demonstrate our SAF commitment, last year, we operated the first passenger flight using renewable fuel. We flew a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with more than 100 passengers aboard from Chicago to Washington D.C. using 100% SAF in one engine. In reference to the 100% SAF flight, Scott Kirby, United CEO said, “We're demonstrating the scalable and impactful way companies can join together and play a role in addressing the biggest challenge of our lifetimes.”

Looking beyond the scaling and use of SAF, we view carbon capture as a key pillar toward decarbonization, as it is a technology mechanism that can answer for carbon that has already been emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon capture is largely viewed as a necessary step to the elimination of GHG, and United intends to invest in direct air capture technology that can capture, remove and store 1 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere per year – that’s the work of 40 million trees! Paired with other decarbonization technologies, like SAF – produced from renewable resources and waste products – we can build a technology-based pathway to help us accomplish carbon-free air travel.

And, finally, our focus on innovation extends beyond supporting novel technologies to scale SAF and carbon capture, but also to different ways of looking at flying! We recognize other companies are already doing the good work and should be supported for their efforts. Innovation drives our commitment to improving the travel experience for customers by investing in new technologies and sustainable solutions. Through United Airlines Ventures, we’re empowering and supporting emerging companies as they lead and innovate in the sustainability, aerospace and technology sectors – optimizing how airlines operate.

PARTNERING UP TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS

We’re on a mission to make sustainable aviation the norm, a feat we know we can’t achieve without partnering with other innovative and sustainability- oriented companies.

Last year, we announced the Eco-Skies Alliance, a first-of-its-kind program involving global corporations working with United to help power flying in a more sustainable way. This innovative program offers our corporate customers the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact and help us make sustainable aviation the industry standard. This group of leaders who participate recognize the need for bold action to accelerate solutions that decarbonize aviation.

The Eco-Skies Alliance program allows corporate customers the opportunity to pay the additional cost for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This contribution goes beyond traditional carbon offsets and shows there is demand for low emissions fuel solutions.

WE’RE ON THE RIGHT PATH

Our investments, forward thinking, and commitments to the environment have not gone unnoticed. In 2021, we were honored to be recognized for the industry-leading steps we have taken to decarbonize air travel by Air Transport World as its Eco-Airline of the Year.

BE PART OF THE CHANGE

These new ideas are a product of the innovative thinking that is at the core of United’s culture, and it’s never been more important or timely for us to apply this expertise to help save our planet.

Looking for your business to join us in helping make our vision of sustainable aviation a reality? Learn more at united.business and see how we can take your company to new heights.