The Diplomat
Iberia Group customers can now offset the carbon emissions of their flights through the CO2labora programme, collaborating with two certified climate projects: one in Guatemala and the other in Peru.
The CO2labora programme joins the Corporate Offset Programme, which the airline launched in April on the occasion of International Earth Day, and which allows companies to travel more responsibly, offsetting the emissions of their flights also through these two ecosystem conservation projects, in Guatemala and Peru.
With the CO2labora programme, customers who decide to offset their carbon footprint can also decide on which journeys they want to do so, whether on one or several of the total number of flights made.
Through the Iberia Group’s carbon footprint calculator, customers will know the emissions of their trip and the equivalent monetary investment will be calculated to offset them through the two certified climate projects offered by Iberia. This footprint calculation is an average of the flights operated by Iberia on that route and is made taking into account four variables:
- Aircraft type: The aircraft used on each flight is one of the factors that determines the carbon footprint. For this reason, the Iberia Group is renewing its fleet and incorporating the most advanced and efficient aircraft available on the market. By 2022, Iberia will add thirteen aircraft to its fleet, seven A350-900s for long-haul routes and six A320neo for short- and medium-haul routes. The former are 30% to 35% more efficient thanks to the latest generation materials used in their construction and the advanced design of their Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines; the latter are 15% to 20% more environmentally friendly. Iberia Express is adding the A321neo to its fleet, with new engines that reduce CO2 emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft they have replaced. The airline has five A321neo aircraft and will add a sixth A321neo before the end of the year.
- Weather: Weather conditions are a key factor in getting the most realistic carbon footprint possible. For example, flying into a headwind is not the same as flying into a tailwind.
- Efficiency of operations: In order to achieve more efficient operations, the Iberia Group has implemented initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and reduce weight on board, among others.
- Cabin type: The carbon footprint also varies if the customer flies in Economy, Premium Economy or Business.
The Iberia Group has developed the CO2labora platform to offset emissions in collaboration with CHOOOSE, a participant in IAG’s Hangar 51 programme for the acceleration of start-ups.
Last April, Iberia and CHOOOSE launched the Corporate Offset Programme which, in this case, also allows access to monthly reports with the registration of the carbon footprint of its trips, and to offset it by collaborating with certified projects in Guatemala and Peru.
CHOOOSE takes care of the project offer and management of carbon offset orders, as well as their execution and the issuing of offset certificates. In this way, customers only have to choose the project that best suits their company’s interests.
Iberia and Iberia Express customers can offset their carbon footprint at any time, at the end of the purchase process, by clicking on: “Offset your footprint” or once the flight has been made, by entering the Sustainability section of iberia.com and iberiaexpress.com.
Two certified climate programmes
Located in Izabal, on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, the first project with which Iberia Group customers can collaborate promotes the creation of new nature reserves and protects natural forests threatened by deforestation and unsustainable land use activities.
Izabal is a wintering and stopover area for more than 120 species of migratory birds, making it a relevant area for biodiversity conservation. Contributions from Grupo Iberia’s customers will serve to protect agroforestry ecosystems and encourage the growth of ecotourism, as well as providing resources to monitor the area and support community development programmes.
On the edge of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest is the second certified project with which Iberia Group customers can collaborate. Seven indigenous communities belonging to the Shipibo-Conibo and Cacataibo ethnic groups are settled around the Ucayali River and manage an area of 119,837 hectares of rainforest. This project supports the development of socially inclusive enterprises, promotes the appropriate use of communal lands and favours capacity building for the management of natural resources.
Decarbonisation of the airline industry
Both CO2labora and the Corporate Offset Programme are part of the Iberia Group’s strategy to advance in the decarbonisation of the airline industry, which is being developed on four pillars:
- The green transition of the airline industry, which includes all fleet renewal initiatives, more efficient operations and the use of sustainable aviation fuels, among other initiatives.
- The creation of a more sustainable travel experience for customers, through the digitalisation of services, the progressive elimination of plastics on board, the development of its waste management system and carbon footprint offsetting.
- Training, awareness-raising and participation in sustainability among Iberia employees, with the aim of making them ambassadors of its strategy.
- Commitment to society, highlighting the social impact of aviation on society through connectivity.
Social and environmental sustainability is a cross-cutting element in Iberia’s strategic plan for the next three years, known as the Next Chapter, which, with the commitment of its employees, will enable the airline to ensure its financial soundness, position itself as the airline of choice among travellers, strengthen its position in the Madrid hub and make progress in the airline industry’s ecological transition.
