Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does American Airlines score?

American Airlines reports Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions annually per GHG Protocol methodology, with TCFD and SASB alignment. The 2023 Sustainability Report (pg 37, per Statista) provides detailed breakdowns. Scope 1 emissions (~37.2 Mt CO2e in 2023) rose 8% year-on-year. Third-party limited assurance is noted. Comprehensive multi-year data is publicly available, though the sheer scale of emissions is staggering.

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does American Airlines score?

American reports Scope 3 emissions covering key categories including jet fuel production (Category 3) and regional carrier fuel consumption (Category 4). Total Scope 3 was approximately 14.7 Mt CO2e in 2023. The company has extended sustainability commitments to procurement practices and partnered with SAF producers like Gevo and Infinium. However, the Scope 3 categories reported are limited relative to the full GHG Protocol framework, with employee commuting, business travel, and other categori

Emissions Trajectory: How does American Airlines score?

Absolute emissions rose 6% in 2023 versus 2022, with Scope 1 up 8%. The company's CEO himself acknowledged that achieving 2030, 2035 and 2050 climate goals is 'in jeopardy.' The SBTi-validated target is intensity-based (45% per RTM by 2035), not absolute, meaning total emissions can rise while the intensity metric improves. With capacity growing 5.5% in 2024 and 248.7 million passengers carried (a record), absolute emissions are almost certainly continuing to rise. Intensity improvements mask ri

Energy Source: How does American Airlines score?

American sources 100% renewable electricity at its DFW headquarters and cargo terminal, and met its 2.5 million GJ renewable energy goal ahead of schedule. In 2024, it purchased over 679,000 GJ of renewable electricity for north Texas and DFW operations. However, over 90% of American's carbon footprint comes from jet fuel combustion, for which there is no renewable alternative at scale. SAF usage was 2.7 million gallons in 2023 — less than 1% of total fuel consumption. The renewable electricity,

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does American Airlines score?

American's Environmental Policy Statement mentions biodiversity and deforestation as risk areas. The company joined the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce in 2022 and partners with the National Park Foundation. However, there is no TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint, and no formal biodiversity assessment. The SAF strategy, which relies on crop-based biofuels, carries deforestation and land-use change risks that InfluenceMap has flagged. Aviation's broader impacts includ

Resource Use & Waste: How does American Airlines score?

American has implemented several waste reduction initiatives including switching to compostable flatware in Admirals Club lounges, transitioning to BioNatur Plastics for cargo operations (reducing plastic waste equivalent to 6.4 million water bottles in the first year), discontinuing plastic membership cards, and pursuing eAWB digitisation in cargo. The company has also digitised booking channels and reduced paper use. However, there are no quantified circular economy targets, no comprehensive w

Water Impact: How does American Airlines score?

American's Environmental Policy Statement mentions water consumption as a consideration in business decisions. However, no quantified water footprint or reduction targets are publicly disclosed. A 2026 Airline Water Study by the Center for Food as Medicine & Longevity gave American Airlines the lowest water safety score among major airlines (1.75/5.0, Grade D) for onboard drinking water quality, though American stated its program is 'fully in compliance' with EPA's Aircraft Drinking Water Rule.

Targets & Commitments: How does American Airlines score?

American was the first airline globally to receive SBTi validation for its 2035 targets (April 2022), targeting a 45% intensity reduction in GHG emissions per RTM and a 40% absolute reduction in Scope 2 by 2035, both against a 2019 baseline. The net-zero by 2050 aim is stated. However, the primary target is intensity-based (well-below 2°C, not 1.5°C), which allows absolute emissions to rise with growth. The CEO has publicly acknowledged the targets may be in jeopardy. SAF usage remains below 1%

Transparency & Accountability: How does American Airlines score?

American publishes annual sustainability reports aligned with TCFD and SASB. It has a Chief Sustainability Officer (Jill Blickstein), a Climate Change Steering Committee led by an EVP, and Board-level oversight via the Corporate Governance and Public Responsibility Committee. The company discloses its trade association memberships and lobbying positions, publishes an environmental policy, and has been included in the DJSI World Index for two consecutive years. CDP score was A- (highest among US

Controversies & Red Flags: How does American Airlines score?

Starting at 8: ClientEarth sent American Airlines a warning letter over potential greenwashing alongside 70 other airlines (-1). InfluenceMap rates AA at C-, citing mixed lobbying including advocacy to weaken SAF sustainability criteria and membership in negatively engaged trade associations (A4A, IATA, US Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable) (-2). InfluenceMap found American Airlines opposed the UK Air Passenger Duty and a frequent flyer levy (-1). A federal court found American breached E

American Airlines Sustainability Score: 24/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

American Airlines·Aerospace·Fort Worth, United States·Founded 2013·Last verified 21 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review

American Airlines reports comprehensively on emissions but absolute Scope 1 emissions rose 8% in 2023 while the CEO acknowledged net-zero targets are in jeopardy. An intensity-based SBTi target allows total emissions to grow with capacity. SAF usage remains below 1% of fuel. Greenwashing warnings, lobbying against climate policy, and an ERISA breach finding underscore credibility gaps.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Aerospace sector ceiling.

38 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

40 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 38) + (0.7 × 40) = 39.4

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.6

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

24 / 100

The ten questions

Where American Airlines is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Carbon Footprint — Operations and Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain (7/10, 6/10). Weakest on Water Impact and Emissions Trajectory (2/10, 2/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

17 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Self-reported

American Airlines 2024 Sustainability Report

2024

Q1Q2

Every score shows its working.

Where American Airlines is strong, and where it isn't.

Every document used, listed.

Where American Airlines sits among aerospace peers.

American Airlines's score over time.

This score is not currently being contested.

Related companies worth a look.

We'll let you know when the score moves.

Which companies moved this week, and why.