Southwest
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 34 is higher than 67% 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 significant carbon emissions, with Scope 1 emissions at approximately 21,091,127,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions at about 29,462,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions reaching approximately 25,628,424,000 kg CO2e. The airline 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. In 2023, Southwest's emissions were similarly substantial, with Scope 1 at about 20,670,103,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at approximately 35,822,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at around 24,873,759,000 kg CO2e. The airline's ongoing efforts reflect a long-term strategy to address climate change and enhance sustainability within its operations. Southwest Airlines has not inherited emissions data from any parent company, and all reported figures are derived directly from its own disclosures. The airline's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint aligns with industry standards and reflects a proactive approach to environmental responsibility.
Unlock detailed emissions data
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 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 | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 | 00,000,000,000 |
Industry emissions intensity
Location emissions intensity
Reduction initiatives & disclosure networks
Companies disclose and commit to reducing emissions to show they are serious about reducing emissions impact over time. They can also help a company track its progress over time.
Southwest is participating in some of the initiatives that we track. This may change over time as the company engages with new initiatives or updates its commitments. DitchCarbon will update this information as it becomes available.
