Emirates sustainability score: 21/100

Emirates reports 32.9 Mt Scope 1 and 171.5 Kt Scope 2 CO₂e for 2024. Aircraft emissions verified under CORSIA. IEnvA Stage One certification achieved 2023-24. However, no standalone sustainability report with full GHG Protocol methodology; operational emissions are among the largest globally.

Scope 3 reported at 6.9 Mt CO₂e (2024), comprising only upstream fuel production. No comprehensive value chain mapping across 15 GHG Protocol categories. Global supply chain includes aircraft manufacturing, catering (50,000-60,000 items per flight), and ground operations. Engagement with suppliers occurs but lacks systematic coverage.

Total emissions increased 22% year-on-year from 32.8 Mt (2023) to 40.0 Mt (2024). Scope 3 also rose 22%. Carbon intensity fell 22-26% for catering and travel segments (2022-23), but absolute growth dominates. Green SOPs saved 151,000 tonnes in FY2023-24—negligible against 40 Mt total.

Jet fuel dominates energy consumption (millions of tonnes annually). Solar installations generate 9,000 MWh/year; new 23 MW project expected to yield 34 GWh/year—trivial relative to total use. SAF uptake: 77 tonnes of 3.49 million tonnes fuel (2022). Not RE100 member. No meaningful renewable energy strategy for core energy source.

Signatory to WTTC Buenos Aires Declaration and United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade certification 2023-24. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley resort occupies 2,800 hectares with 175,000 native trees planted. No TNFD-aligned disclosure, no quantified nature footprint, aviation's noise and NOx impacts unaddressed.

Emirates Flight Catering recycles paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastic. Blankets made from 100% recycled bottles; dry wash technique for aircraft. No quantified waste diversion rates or circular economy targets. Material throughput enormous (50,000-60,000 items per flight, 260+ aircraft). Approach is basic recycling, not systematic circularity.

Dry wash technique saves estimated 11 million litres annually—significant in desert environment. Flight Catering uses efficient practices; Crop One vertical farming claims 99% less water than conventional farming. No quantified total water footprint, no public usage data, no formal reduction targets despite operating in water-stressed region.

Supports IATA Fly Net Zero 2050 and ICAO LTAG but has not committed to specific 2030 or 2050 goals. No SBTi commitment or validation. CORSIA commitment is offset-based, described by IPCC as transitional arrangement. $200 million R&D fund aspirational, not binding. Lacks measurable, time-bound absolute reduction targets.

Environmental data incorporated into annual reports from 2018-19. Group expanded ESG reporting 2023-24 adopting GRI aspects; plans to meet ISSB and CSRD. IEnvA Stage One certified. CORSIA external verification; responds to ESG questionnaires. No standalone sustainability report, no TCFD disclosure, no board climate governance structure disclosed.

No direct environmental fines or regulatory actions. Member of IATA (rated E+ by InfluenceMap for opposing EU ETS expansion, fuel taxes, stringent aviation climate regulation). Participates in AACO and UAE CSO Roundtable hosted by ADNOC (fossil fuel company). Chair's November 2025 comments suggest passengers must fund green flying, casting doubt on decarbonization commitment pace.