ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT -- Europe’s largest budget carrier Ryanair has expanded its carbon offsetting program as it works toward net zero by 2050. Customers were previously invited to contribute just €2 ($2.40) per flight but will now be able to cover their full carbon emissions per passenger on every Ryanair route. “Hundreds of thousands of Ryanair customers every year are already choosing to contribute and support the environment by selecting carbon contribution at their time of booking. The expansion of our Carbon Offset Scheme to enable our customers to fully offset the CO2 of their Ryanair flight will greatly enhance the capabilities of each of our environmental partners,” said Ryanair Director of Sustainability Thomas Flower at the Jul. 28 launch. Ryanair has already contributed €3.5 million to four environmental projects under its existing scheme: the Renature Monchique reforestation project in Portugal's Algarve region; First Climate's distribution of energy-efficient cook stoves in Uganda; the Balikesir Wind Power Plant Project in Turkey and CO2 Balance's Improved Kitchen Regimes in Malawi. Ryanair claims to be Europe’s greenest airline because of its lowest emissions per passenger-kilometer. Ryanair has also set a goal to power 12.5% of all flights with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 (JFI Apr.30'21).