Qatar Airways sustainability score: 18/100

DitchCarbon reports 2023 Scope 1 of 21.4Mt CO₂e and Scope 2 of 297Kt CO₂e from regulatory filings (EU ETS, UK ETS, CORSIA), not from a standalone sustainability report with GHG Protocol methodology. Data exists but verification and public transparency remain limited for an airline of this scale.

Scope 3 reported at only 96,278 tonnes CO₂e in 2023—implausibly low for a $22.2B airline with 170+ destinations, complex procurement, catering, ground services, and employee commuting. Figure likely covers one or two categories only. No supplier engagement programme identified.

Absolute emissions rose 14.5% from 18.7Mt (2022) to 21.8Mt CO₂e (2023). Expansion ongoing: 94 Boeing 777X on order, A321neo purchases, new routes, cargo growth. Revenue up 45% in 2022, record profits in FY2024. SAF savings of 19,000 tonnes represent <0.1% of total emissions.

Jet fuel dominates >99% of Scope 1. Qatar's grid is >90% natural gas with renewables <1%. No RE100 membership, power purchase agreements, or renewable procurement identified. 3.9M litres SAF in Amsterdam is negligible. 10% SAF by 2030 target lacks credible pathway at airline scale.

Zero-tolerance wildlife trafficking policy; signatory to Buckingham Palace Declaration (2016); IATA IEnvA certification includes wildlife module. No TNFD disclosure, quantified nature footprint, or assessment of aviation-specific impacts (NOx deposition, contrails, airport land use).

Zero waste to landfill from cargo operations; hub target 2030. Catering recycles >1,000 tonnes packaging and 52 tonnes magazines annually. 80% increase in recyclable onboard products claimed. Single-use plastics partially reduced. No comprehensive circularity metrics or third-party verification.

Claims zero untreated wastewater discharge from hub. Uses GE 360 Foam Wash for engines, captures AC condensate, recycles wastewater for irrigation. Qatar is water-stressed and desalination-dependent. No quantified consumption data published; no water footprint or reduction targets exist.

Net-zero by 2050 (oneworld/IATA) and 10% SAF by 2030 targets lack SBTi validation and interim reduction pathways. DitchCarbon confirms non-participation in tracked climate initiatives. No absolute emissions reduction target. Offsetting programme shifts responsibility to consumers.

Sustainability reports published (2019–2021 edition March 2023; 2023–24 PDF exists). IATA IEnvA Stage 2 certified; complies with EU/UK ETS and CORSIA. Environmental policy updated December 2025. State ownership obscures governance. No TCFD or CSRD disclosure. Emissions methodology not prominent in reports.

ClientEarth and Fossielvrij sent legal warning (2024) over greenwashing claims. ASA complaint filed (2021) on misleading 'Fly Greener' Euro advertising. IATA membership; InfluenceMap rates IATA E+ for opposing EU ETS expansion and kerosene taxes. State-owned by major fossil fuel producer Qatar.