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Ryanair unveils strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050

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Ryanair today announced its decarbonisation strategy, Pathway to Net Zero, outlining its plans to become carbon neutral by 2050.

It says that its new green strategy is based on four core pillars designed to reduce its carbon emissions and the impact of its operations on the environment.

It essence, it wants to achieve:

• 34% decarbonisation through the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)
• 32% decarbonisation through technological & operational improvements
• 24% decarbonisation through offsetting & other economic measures
• 10% decarbonisation through the introduction of better Air Traffic Management

With more than 1/3 of its decarbonisation to come from the increased use of SAF, Ryanair reveals that it is working with the EU and fuel suppliers to accelerate supply of SAF.

As part of this, Ryanair established the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre in partnership with Trinity College Dublin. This partnership will deliver research in SAF, Zero Carbon Aircraft Propulsion Systems and Noise Mapping.

The Irish airline notes that it will continue to invest in new technology, aircraft, as underpinned by its $22 billion commitment to purchase 210 Boeing 737-8200 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft.

To date the airline has taken delivery of 55 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft, which carry 4% more passengers, reduces fuel consumption and CO2 by 16% and lowers noise emissions by 40%.

The final leg of Ryanair’s Pathway to Net Zero will come from a combination of offsetting measures, through carbon capture offset projects and the support of key government policies and reforms, such as the introduction of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) initiative.

If successfully introduced by the European Commission, SESAR would deliver a standardised and more efficient air traffic management process, delivering a significant & immediate 10% reduction in European aviation carbon emissions.

Ryanair’s director of sustainability, Thomas Fowler, said: “As Europe’s greenest major airline, Ryanair understands that aviation plays a pivotal role in tackling climate change and our Pathway to Net Zero will help us do just that.

“We are working tirelessly with our team and strategic partners to lead the way in making aviation more sustainable. We were delighted to be upgraded to a ‘B’ rating by the CDP this year, recognising our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.

“While we’ve already come a long way, we will continue to lead the sustainable aviation agenda in European aviation as we embark on our ambitious Pathway to Net Zero by 2050.”

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