Southwest Sustainability Profile
Southwest Airlines Co., commonly known as Southwest, is a leading American low-cost airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1967, the airline has grown to become a major player in the aviation industry, primarily serving domestic routes across the United States, with a focus on providing affordable travel options. Renowned for its unique business model, Southwest operates a point-to-point transit system, which allows for greater flexibility and efficiency. The airline's core services include scheduled passenger flights, with a commitment to no hidden fees and a generous baggage policy, setting it apart from competitors. With a strong market position, Southwest has consistently ranked among the top airlines for customer satisfaction and operational performance, making it a preferred choice for millions of travellers each year.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Southwest's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Air Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Southwest's score of 45 is higher than 72% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Southwest's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Southwest Airlines reported total carbon emissions of approximately 25,628,424,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at about 21,091,127,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions at approximately 16,712,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and Scope 3 emissions totalling around 4,520,000,000 kg CO2e. The previous year, 2023, saw total emissions of about 24,873,759,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at approximately 20,670,103,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at around 21,256,000 kg CO2e (market-based), and Scope 3 emissions at about 4,165,000,000 kg CO2e. Southwest has set ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 50% by 2035, with an interim goal of 25% by 2030, both compared to 2019 levels. This commitment applies to both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The airline's efforts are part of a broader industry trend towards sustainability, aiming to mitigate climate impact through various initiatives. The emissions data is not cascaded from any parent company, and all figures are reported directly by Southwest Airlines Co. The airline continues to focus on enhancing its sustainability practices while addressing its carbon footprint in the aviation sector.
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| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 17,417,734,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 41,829,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Southwest's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Southwest's Location?
Southwest's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Southwest's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 8% last year and increased significantly since 2016, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Their carbon footprint includes suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 22% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Fuel and Energy Related Activities" being the largest emissions source at 77% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Southwest's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Southwest has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
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