Our environmental commitment

At United, our mission is connecting people and uniting the world. Every day, we celebrate the people and communities across our planet — which is why we understand the need for bold action now to combat climate change. United is committed to reducing our emissions, so that we can continue to appreciate the wonders of this world, today and into the future.

From our CEO

“We’re embracing a new goal to be 100% green by 2050 by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 100%. And we’ll get there not with flashy, empty gestures, but by taking the harder, better path of actually reducing the emissions from flying. We (also) realize there’s a limit to what a single company can do alone. That’s why we are continuing to seek opportunities to collaborate with other industries. We must reach across industries to develop coordinated efforts to accomplish what must be our collective goal of carbon neutrality.”

— Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer

Our path to carbon neutral

As an industry that depends on fossil fuels to operate, we recognize our contribution to climate change and our responsibility to help solve it. Our shared purpose of “Connecting People. Uniting the World,” is no longer enough. We want to ensure the world has a future, as well. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies that will measurably reduce the speed of climate change. United has done this by committing to sustainable aviation (SAF). Some of the ways we're decarbonizing aviation and making sustainability the new standard in flight:

- In September 2021, we committed to investing in and purchasing 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder Fuels. This purchase agreement makes this the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history.
- In July 2021, United Aviate Ventures (UAV), along with Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines, has invested in electric aircraft startup, Heart Aerospace. Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-19, a 19-seat electric aircraft that has the potential to fly customers with zero emissions when powered by renewable electricity.
- In July 2021, Air Transport World magazine named United its Eco-Airline of the Year for the third time since we launched our Eco-Skies program.
- In June 2021, as part of our agreement with Boom Supersonic, we will initially purchase 15 of Boom’s “Overture” airliners. Slated to carry passengers in 2029, the net-zero aircraft plans to fly on 100% SAF.
- In April 2021, we announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind Eco-Skies Alliance, a group of leading global corporations that are contributing to purchase SAF to reduce their aviation-related impact on the environment.
- In February 2021, we announced an agreement to work with Archer Aviation to accelerate the development and production of their electric aircraft. These 'air taxis,' will give our customers another opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint before they even board a United flight.
- In December 2020, we announced our new goal to be 100% green by 2050 by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions 100% without relying on traditional carbon offsets.
- In 2020, we became the first airline to announce a commitment to invest in carbon capture and sequestration by investing in 1PointFive, a venture that plans to build the first industrial-sized Direct Air Capture plant in the United States. A single plant is expected to capture and permanently sequester one million tons of CO2 each year, the equivalent of the work of 40 million trees, but covering a much smaller area.
- In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) named us as the only global airline to its 2020 Climate 'A List' for actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy. This marks the seventh consecutive year that we have had the highest CDP score among U.S. airlines.
- In 2019, we operated the Flight for the Planet, the most-eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind in the history of commercial aviation.
- In 2018, we became the first U.S. airline to commit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. This goal has since been superseded by our 100% green commitment.
- In 2016, we became the first airline globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis with SAF from World Energy.
- In 2015, we invested $30 million in Fulcrum BioEnergy, a SAF producer that converts trash to low-carbon jet fuel, the largest investment by any airline in a SAF producer.

United wins Air Transport World’s (ATW) 2021 Eco-Airline of the Year award

"United is honored to be recognized for the industry-leading steps we have taken to decarbonize travel by ATW as its Eco-Airline of the Year. United has committed to purchase more sustainable aviation fuel than nearly the rest of the world’s airlines combined. We’ll need the world to come together to solve this global problem and that’s why we created the Eco-Skies Alliance to allow like-minded companies and individuals to help us invest in even more sustainable aviation fuel. These new ideas are a product of the innovative thinking that is at the core of United’s culture, and it’s never been more important or more timely for us to apply this expertise to help save our planet.” – Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer

Going 100% green by 2050

We’re planning to become 100% green by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 without relying on traditional offsets. Making significant investments in sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture and sequestration will help us get there.

Learn more about our climate commitment

Sustainable fuel sources

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative to fossil fuels, emitting up to 80% less carbon on a lifecycle basis. As the cleanest fuel substitute for traditional jet fuel, SAF is the fastest and most effective way to reduce GHG emissions across our fleet.

Learn more about sustainable aviation fuel

Carbon capture and sequestration

Climate change calls for big solutions, so we’re making a multimillion-dollar investment in carbon capture and sequestration technology to reduce our net GHG emissions.

Explore the carbon capture and sequestration process

Innovation for the future

United's corporate venture capital fund, United Airlines Ventures, allows the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel sustainably

Learn about our investment in electric aircraft

Aircraft modernization and operational efficiency

We’re increasing fuel efficiency and reducing GHG emissions through technology and process innovation in the air and on the ground.

See how we’re improving our fuel efficiency

Eco-Skies Alliance

The Eco-Skies Alliance is a first-of-its-kind program involving leading global corporations working with United to help power flying in a more sustainable way. Through this innovative program, our corporate customers have the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact and help make sustainable aviation the norm.

Learn about the Eco-Skies Alliance

Be part of the change

United believes in a future of sustainable aviation, and we want you to join us to help make our vision a reality.

Individual support opportunities

Contribute to sustainable aviation

We’ll collect your contribution in a designated SAF account.
At the end of the year, we’ll total the contributions, so be sure to check back to see how much we raised.
United or one of it's wholly-owned subsidiaries will use 100% of the contributions for the future purchase and use of SAF and/or SAF-blended products.

Together, we can take real steps to accelerate sustainable aviation.

Make your voice heard

We encourage you to reach out to your elected officials to request policy support for low-carbon solutions. Send a letter to Congress now.

Send a letter

Corporate support opportunities

Join the Eco-Skies Alliance

The Eco-Skies Alliance program allows corporate customers the opportunity to pay the additional cost for sustainable aviation fuel. This contribution goes beyond traditional carbon offsets and will show there is demand for low emissions fuel solutions. Enroll your company today to participate in our alliance program and reduce your carbon emissions from your United flights.

Join now

Our climate disclosure

Corporate Responsibility Report

To learn more about how we support the environment through our business practices, view our Corporate Responsibility Report.

View report

Eco-Skies Alliance and the Eco-Skies Alliance Logo are trademarks of United Airlines, Inc. related to its customer SAF purchase program.

*These donations are not tax deductible. United is unable to allocate emissions reductions to participants for their travel or provide documentation concerning the use of SAF on specific flights. Donations may be used to purchase SAF from entities in which United holds an equity or other financial interest. There is no assurance as to the timing of the use of donated funds to purchase SAF, SAF-blended products or on initiatives we believe will help decarbonize aviation. For example, purchases may be delayed, including because of unavailability of sufficient quantities of SAF or SAF-blended products, or the price of SAF or SAF-blended products. Donations are not a pre-purchase of air transportation and no travel credit will be provided, unless specifically agreed in writing by United. Donors retain no legal interest in the amounts donated, which amounts belong entirely to United, or in any investments, financings, or purchases made by United with donated funds. United retains the right to make decisions regarding the use of these funds on the purchase of SAF, SAF-blended products or on potential decarbonization initiatives in its sole and absolute discretion.