Iberia Group customers can now offset their flight emissions

• Through "CO2labora" platform, customers will be able to support two certified climate projects to offset their emissions
•  Emissions are calculated on the basis of the type of aircraft, the weather conditions, and the cabin in which passengers fly, among other factors

Iberia Group today has launched its CO2labora programme, which will enable its passengers to offset the emissions from their flights through two certified climate projects: one in Guatemala and one in Peru.

Customers who wish to offset their carbon footprint, measured in CO2e,  may also decide which flights they want to offset, choosing one or several. Through the Iberia Group's carbon footprint calculator, customers will be aware of the emissions of their flight and the equivalent monetary investment will be calculated so they can offset them through the certified climate projects offered by Iberia Group. The footprint calculator takes into account four variables:

• Type of aircraft: The aircraft used on each flight is one of the factors that determines the carbon footprint. For this reason, Iberia Group is renewing its fleet with the most advanced and efficient aircraft on the market. In the first nine months of the year, Iberia added eleven aircraft to its fleet, five A350-900s for long-haul routes and six A320neo for short- and medium-haul routes. The first ones are between 30% and 35% more efficient thanks to their cutting-edge materials and the advanced design of their Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, and the second ones are between 15% and 20% more efficient. Iberia Express, for its part, is adding to its fleet the A321neo model, which reduces CO2 emissions by 20% when compared to the aircraft it replaces. The airline has five A321neo and will incorporate the sixth aircraft of this model before the end of the year.

• Weather: Weather conditions are a key factor when calculating an accurate carbon footprint. The wind direction makes a huge difference in fuel consumption.

• Efficiency of operations: To achieve more efficient operations, Iberia Group has launched initiatives to reduce fuel consumption, increase the sustainability of its flight operations and reduce the weight on board aircraft, among others.

• Cabin type: The carbon footprint also varies if the passenger flies Economy, Economy Premium, or Business.

How to offset the carbon footprint?

Once they have completed their purchase, Iberia and Iberia Express customers can offset their carbon footprint at any time by clicking on "Offset your Footprint" or, after the flight, by visiting the Sustainability section on iberia.com and iberiaexpress.com.

Two certified climate programmes

The first climate programme project offered to its customers by Iberia Group is in Izabal, on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala. It promotes the creation of new nature reserves and maintains existing natural forests that are threatened by deforestation and unsustainable land use activities.

Izabal is a wintering and stopover area for more than 120 species of migratory birds, which makes it a relevant spot for biodiversity conservation. Contributions from Iberia Group’s customers serve to protect agroforestry ecosystems and promote ecotourism, in addition to providing resources to monitor the area and support community development programmes.

The second certified project which Iberia Group’s customers can support is on the edge of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Seven indigenous communities belonging to the Shipibo-Conibo and Cacataibo ethnic groups are settled around the Ucayali River and manage  119,837 hectares of tropical forest. This project supports the development of socially inclusive companies, promotes the proper use of communal lands, and helps offer training for the management of natural resources.

The Iberia Group has developed this platform in collaboration with CHOOOSE, a participant in IAG's Hangar 51 programme for the acceleration of start-ups. Last April, Iberia and CHOOOSE developed the offset programme for corporate clients, allowing them to access monthly reports showing their flights’ carbon footprint records, and giving them the chance to offset that footprint by collaborating with the two certified projects in Guatemala and Peru.

The decarbonisation of the aviation sector

CO2labora is part of the Iberia Group's strategy to advance in the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, which is being developed on four pillars:

• The green transition of the aviation sector, which includes all fleet renewal initiatives, more efficient operations, and the use of sustainable aviation fuels, among others.

• The design of a more sustainable travel experience for customers, through the digitisation of services, the progressive elimination of plastics on board, the development of the airline’s waste management system and carbon footprint offsetting.

• Training, awareness, and participation in matters of sustainability for Iberia employees, with the aim of turning them into ambassadors of its strategy.

• Commitment to society, highlighting  aviation´s social impact through connectivity

Social and environmental sustainability is also one of the pillars of Iberia's strategic plan for the next three years - Next Chapter - which, with the commitment of its employees, will allow the airline to ensure its financial strength, position itself as the airline of choice for travellers, strengthen its position in the Madrid hub, and make progress in the green transition of the aviation sector.

For further information:  

Iberia:

https://www.iberia.com/es/sustainability/customer/carbon-footprint/

Iberia Express:

https://booking.iberiaexpress.com/sustainability