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Norwegian commits to almost halving C02 emissions in decade

Budget carrier Norwegian has committed to almost halving CO2 emissions by 2030 as part of a new environmental sustainability strategy.

Besides aiming to cut CO2 emissions by 45% per passenger kilometre in ten years, the carrier is to remove all non-recyclable plastics and recycle all single-use plastics by 2023.

The emissions cut will be achieved through both fleet renewal and sustainable aviation fuels.

The airline aims to utilising between 16% and 28% sustainable aviation fuels by the end of the decade, depending on the level of fleet renewal.

The target amounts to up to 500 million litres sustainable aviation fuels by 2030.

But it is crucial to get a regulatory framework in place that actively rewards carbon efficiency and increases both the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel, according to the carrier.

Chief executive Jacob Schram said: “We take our responsibility towards the environment seriously, and that is why we must look to the future and implement a strategy that produces immediate and tangible benefits for the environment today.

“Norwegian will continue to instigate a positive change across the industry in this field that will benefit not only the environment but also our customers and our business.

“The low-cost business model is the sustainability model as it enables efficient energy and resource management.”

He added: “We encourage producers to ramp up production of sustainable aviation fuels. Norwegian will be actively engaging with producers to kick start this vital contribution to the industry and take advantage of the emission savings that these fuels offer.”

Anders Fagernæs, Norwegian’s head of environmental sustainability, said: “More sustainable and smarter options are becoming a greater part of the considerations that customers make when choosing which airline to fly with.

“We will champion this attitude and become the customers sustainable choice by reducing and recycling plastic waste, promoting sustainable aviation fuel and continuing to fly one of the world’s youngest fleets to achieve a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030.”

The airline has reduced its emissions by 28% since 2010.

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