A number of European airlines achieved improved grades in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s annual rankings published this week, but several were downgraded and only one carrier globally achieved the highest status.
CDP, the non-profit global environmental disclosure organisation, assessed the strategies of more than 21,000 companies across all business sectors as they strive to reduce their environmental footprint. Only two per cent of them – some 400 companies – were named on its 2023 ‘A list’ for disclosing actionable, high quality environmental data. CDP's rankings are routinely used by companies to inform their procurement decisions.
Japan’s ANA Holdings was the only airline group to be awarded an A grade – and did so for a second consecutive year – while Accor was the only global hospitality company to achieve the top grade.
ANA’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions are based on three pillars: the introduction of fuel-efficient aircraft, optimised operational movements, and the utilisation of sustainable aviation fuel. It has also set and obtained SBTi certification.
Both ANA and Accor are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, while the latter has interim targets of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 46 per cent and Scope 3 emissions by 28 per cent by 2030.
Meanwhile, easyJet, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines all improved their grades from B in 2022 to A- in the 2023 rankings published this week.
EasyJet's sustainability director, Jane Ashton, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded an A- rating by CDP, a true
testament to the hard work we are all doing at easyJet to ensure that
our SBTi-validated 2035 carbon reduction target is met and our aim to be
net-zero by 2050 is realised."
Among the airlines who were downgraded were IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus – which fell from A to A-, the Lufthansa Group which regressed from A- to B, and SAS which fell from B- to D.
Air Canada, Air France-KLM, JetBlue, Korean Air and Wizz Air all achieved improved B grades. Several leading airlines either did not participate or were rewarded F grades for not responding.
CDP says that companies providing the highest quality environmental data remain a small minority, although disclosure through the organisation grew by 24 per cent last year. Although growing participation is positive, it says most companies are not reporting at the level needed for tracking progress, achieving targets and avoiding greenwashing.
Sherry Madera, CDP chief executive, said: "The stark reality is that we are incredibly far behind where we need to be, and progress is much too slow. Earning a place on the A List is about more than the score. It’s an indication of high quality and comprehensive data that equips companies with a holistic view of their environmental impact, serves as a baseline for transition plans and – crucially – enables them to follow through on their stated ambitions. Without transparency and accountability – followed by immediate action – claims of sustainability are meaningless."