PAL eyes net zero carbon emissions by 2050

• Philippine Airlines says it aims to attain net zero carbon emission by 2050 in support of international agreements on climate action, including the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact

• PAL is investing in an all-out carbon reduction program as part of a multi-year commitment to mitigating climate change

• PAL has tapped the services of UN-acclaimed climate scientist and science diplomat Glenn Banaguas to help guide the company’s efforts

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is investing in an all-out carbon reduction program that targets to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of international agreements on climate action, including the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.

The carbon reduction program is part of a multi-year commitment to combat the worldwide problem of climate change, PAL said in a statement.

According to the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation could increase by a factor of two to four times 2015 levels by 2050. Aviation makes up more than 2% of all global CO2 emissions: around 1.3% from international and 0.7% from domestic flights.

“Our Net Zero initiative comes at a crucial time for the international aviation industry, which is seeking to further lessen its environmental impact in response to the global scientific community’s clarion call against irreversible climate change,” PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng said.

“Being the country’s flag carrier and Asia’s first airline, we recognize that our essential role in bridging our country and the rest of the world goes hand in hand with the need for climate action across international borders,” added Ng.

PAL said its net zero goal will be holistic and comprehensive, covering both flight and ground operations.

The airline began this process by shifting to renewable energy for the electricity supply of its major offices and working on the potential use of sustainable aviation fuel to power its aircraft fleet.

The airline is also continually improving its operational efficiency by implementing fuel efficiency initiatives such as “single engine taxi in” and “reduced acceleration altitude” that help cut CO2 emissions while adhering to strict safety standards.

In the long term, PAL seeks to develop a robust net zero emissions strategy and take substantive actions to foster a more earth-friendly aviation environment based on scientific best practices.

To underscore PAL’s commitment to improve its carbon footprint, the airline has tapped the services of UN-acclaimed climate scientist and science diplomat Glenn Banaguas to help guide its efforts.

Banaguas is the president and founder of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI). In 2010, he spearheaded ECCRI’s flagship program, Climate Smart Philippines: Science for Service, which brings scientific experts and stakeholders together in addressing disasters and preventing losses from climate change and other hazards.

For these initiatives, Banaguas received the global UN Sasakawa Award, the first individual Filipino recipient of the award in its 35-year history. He is an honoree of The Outstanding Filipino Laureate, the Philippines’ equivalent of the Nobel Prize. He is also an executive fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and a Lee Kuan Yew senior fellow in public service.

With Banaguas providing guidance, PAL said it aims to conduct comprehensive assessments of its overall GHG emissions and move towards full decarbonization.

Over the long haul, PAL seeks to develop a roadmap for its own net zero emissions strategy; develop and integrate emissions scenarios projected until the year 2050 using internationally accepted models and relevant standards; and develop and recommend science- and evidence-based targets as well as gender-based programs for the entire PAL community.

“PAL’s commitment to climate action is a great service to the country and to the world,” Banaguas said. “More than just a rallying call, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility for, and stewardship of, the environment.”