United Airlines

In 2023, United Airlines reported total carbon emissions of approximately 49,406,001,000 kg CO2e. This figure includes Scope 1 emissions of about 36,590,472,000 kg CO2e, which primarily arise from direct operations, and Scope 2 emissions of approximately 144,019,000 kg CO2e, related to purchased electricity. Additionally, the airline's Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions from sources such as employee commuting and purchased goods, totalled around 12,671,510,000 kg CO2e. United Airlines has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to achieve a 50% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and well-to-wake jet fuel greenhouse gas emissions per revenue ton kilometre (RTK) by 2035, using 2019 as the baseline year. This target includes biogenic emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks but does not account for non-CO2e effects that may contribute to aviation-induced warming. Furthermore, the airline has committed to reaching net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2050. The airline's emissions have fluctuated over recent years, with total emissions recorded at approximately 52,085,532,000 kg CO2e in 2019, decreasing to about 24,647,395,000 kg CO2e in 2020, and then rising again to approximately 43,893,642,000 kg CO2e in 2022. These figures highlight the challenges faced by the aviation industry in reducing emissions while maintaining operational capacity. United Airlines' commitment to sustainability reflects a broader industry trend towards reducing carbon footprints and addressing climate change, aligning with global efforts to limit temperature increases to well below 2°C.