Delta commits to becoming world’s first carbon neutral airline

Delta Air Lines announced Friday that it will invest $1 billion over the next decade in an effort to become the world’s first carbon neutral airline.

The company said it will invest in technology that removes carbon emissions from the atmosphere, as well as wetland restoration and grassland conservation.

“The time is now to accelerate our investments and establish an ambitious commitment that the entire Delta team will deliver,” Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO said.

The overwhelming majority of Delta’s carbon emissions come from its aircraft, so part of the company’s plan is to decrease its use of jet fuel while increasing the efficiency of flights through an “improved flight operations, weight reduction, and increased development and use of sustainable aviation fuels.”

Delta did not say when it hopes to achieve carbon neutrality. The Hill has reached out to Delta for comment.

The airline’s announcement comes two days after oil giant BP announced its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Progressive lawmakers in the U.S., however, have argued that action is needed much sooner to combat the effects of climate change. The Green New Deal, a proposal introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), aims to achieve across-the-board carbon neutrality in the U.S. by 2030.