- Cost pressures, particularly from higher labor costs and maintenance expenses
- Supply chain disruptions
- Climate-related risks (extreme weather events)
Southwest Airlines Co.
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2023 reporting, Southwest Airlines Co. disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 24.9M MT CO2e. By scope: Scope 1: 20.7M MT CO2e; Scope 2: 57.1K MT CO2e. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
24.9M MT CO2e
2023
Water Usage
85.8 million gallons
2023
Waste
8.9K tons
2023
Energy Use
84.0 million MWh
2023
📊 Emissions by Scope (2023)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 20.7M MT CO2e |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 57.1K MT CO2e |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 24.9M MT CO2e |
| 2022 | 22.4M tCO2e/year (Scope 1 2 and 3 Category 3) |
| 2016 | 19.7M tCO2e/year (Scope 1 & 2) |
| 2010 | 14 million metric tons of CO2e |
| 2009 | 13.9M tCO2e (approx.) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Launched Nonstop to Net Zero: Southwest’s path toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050, including three new operational environmental sustainability goals
- Recycled more than 880,000 lbs of material from retired aircraft
- 37% electric GSE systemwide
- Secured SAF gallons through offtake agreements projected to replace 2% of our fuel in 2030
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Reduce single-use plastics from inflight service by 50% by weight by 2025
- Save 50 million incremental gallons of jet fuel by 2025
📅 Medium-term
- Electrify 50% of eligible GSE systemwide by 2030
- Reduce carbon emissions intensity by 25% by 2030
- Replace 10% of total jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
PeoplePlanetPerformanceGovernance