Sustainable Airlines in Europe:
Making Air Travel Green

Our sustainable community is aware of the fact that the aviation industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental challenges faced by the world. But, some destinations are such that the only way to reach them is via air travel. As travelers, our will to shoot off to the remote places of the world cannot and should not be bound. This is why we bring to you a series of sustainable airlines in different parts of the world, helping you make a convenient switch to a greener future.

In this article, we will look at airlines specific to Europe.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

This is one of the leading European airlines in terms of sustainability. They are on a self-improvement journey as a brand and are trying to come up with sustainability initiatives to become more eco-friendly.

As part of its sustainability initiatives, KLM offers travelers a unique opportunity to contribute to the use of sustainable aviation fuel. This fuel is derived from organic resources and serves as an alternative to fossil fuels, thereby reducing the airline’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources for their flights.

There is also a carbon offset program in place to create a balance. Their choice of project is reforestation. Currently, they support 3 reforestation programs, one in Panama, one in Uganda, and another in Colombia. All 3 projects are gold standard certified which means they are genuine credible projects and they do what they claim. Out of all the sustainable airlines in Europe, this one has created clear channels for people to contribute to different areas of sustainability.

EasyJet

EasyJet is a sustainable airline in Europe that places a strong emphasis on sustainability. They have tried to reduce emissions by operating their aircraft efficiently, investing in newer and more fuel-efficient planes, and implementing measures to reduce waste and energy consumption.

At easyJet, the airline focuses on two approaches to address carbon emissions. Firstly, they work tirelessly to minimize their carbon footprint in the present, and secondly, they actively pursue solutions that aim to achieve zero carbon emissions in the future.

They have a plethora of short-term and long-term sustainability goals and have already reduced 1/3rd of their carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometer since 2000. Their next aspiration is to go net zero by 2050. Read about their roadmap to do the same here.

Lufthansa Group

The Lufthansa Group has set ambitious climate protection goals. Among all the airlines in Europe, this airline has pioneered the first science-based CO₂ reduction target aligned with the objectives outlined in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. They have presented their detailed plan on their website.

By 2030, their target is to halve their net CO₂ emissions compared to the levels recorded in 2019 by employing a combination of reduction and compensation measures. They have created a portfolio of sustainable travel offers contributing to sustainable aviation fuel and other climate protection projects. They also have pre-calculated special fare rates that include a contribution to sustainability for convenience. 

These European airlines have adopted sustainable aviation initiatives that encompass a holistic approach considering the entire life cycle of air travel, including airport operations, ground transportation, and passenger behavior. 

By considering and contributing to such sustainable aviation practices, we can move closer to a future where air travel is not only efficient and accessible but also environmentally friendly, helping to reduce the overall impact of transportation on our planet Earth.

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