DALLAS, Nov. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced a $10 million commitment to Yale University's Center for Natural Carbon
Capture (YCNCC) to research technological advancements and
find new solutions to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. The
pledge will also support research and educational efforts at the
Yale School of the Environment to explore the current state of
sustainability, strategy, policy, and economics, emphasizing trends
related to the aviation industry and focusing on finding new ways
to reduce atmospheric carbon.
"This innovative partnership gives
Southwest® the opportunity to support the
development of crucial science to combat climate change, including
fostering innovative research aimed at informing and advancing
efforts to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations," said
Stacy Malphurs, Vice President of
Supply Chain Management & Environmental Sustainability for
Southwest Airlines. "We recognize the importance of supporting
initiatives that take a holistic approach to de-carbonization in
the long-term, which aligns with the U.S. government's goal for the
aviation industry to be carbon neutral by 2050."
Established in March 2021 with
initial funding from FedEx Corporation, and taking inspiration from
natural processes, YCNCC is focused on strategies for removing
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safely storing it within
plants, soils, rocks, and oceans. It also aims to develop methods
for industrial carbon capture to convert carbon dioxide into useful
fuels, plastics, and building materials.
"The climate crisis is the biggest challenge we face as a
species," says Michael Crair, Vice
Provost for research at Yale. "To find
solutions, we will need the very best efforts of scientists and
policy experts at Yale and around the
world. It's a collaborative effort, and I am so grateful that
Southwest Airlines has stepped forward to join our efforts in
creating a sustainable future."
Sustainability is a priority for Southwest, and this pledge
complements its initiatives to improve environmental stewardship
across the airline. Last month, Southwest announced a 10-year plan
to maintain carbon neutrality to 2019 levels while continuing to
grow its operations and stated its long-term goal to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2050.
Southwest will fulfill its donation through the Southwest
Airlines Foundation, a corporate-advised fund within the Silicon
Valley Community Foundation.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) operates one of the
world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its
one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across eleven
countries. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in
2021, Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through
friendly, reliable, low-cost air travel and now carries more air
travelers flying nonstop within the
United States than any other airline1.
Based in Dallas and famous for an
Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an
unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its
history. By empowering its nearly 54,0002 People
to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes
a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million Customers carried
a year. That formula for success has brought industry-leading
prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability.
Southwest continues to develop tangible steps toward an
environmental sustainability goal of achieving carbon neutrality by
2050. Learn more at Southwest.com/citizenship about how
Southwest Airlines leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve
communities around the world.
1) U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of
domestic originating passengers boarded
2) fulltime-equivalent active Employees
3) 1972-2019 annual profitability
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.