Case Study: How Southwest Airlines incentivises carbon offsetting for customers

Underpinning the mission of Southwest Airlines to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is their strategic plan to reduce, replace, and offset carbon emissions. Recognising the importance of taking concrete actions in the short term to achieve these goals, Southwest has committed to reducing carbon by at least 20% and replacing 10% of jet fuel consumption with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030.

As one of the top three US airlines and the world’s largest low-cost carrier, Southwest knows that involving customers in their sustainability strategy is the path toward achieving their environmental goals. For this reason, Southwest Airlines has invited their customers to join them in offsetting the CO2 generated from their flights.

Loyalty & contribution match

Through a partnership with CHOOOSE, Southwest Airlines is able to offer individual and corporate customers the opportunity to join them in addressing their carbon emissions.

While searching for flights, customers see the carbon emissions of their planned travel directly in the booking system. Customers can choose to offset their carbon footprint while booking their flights by contributing to impactful projects around the world which reduce or avoid carbon emissions and have a positive impact on local communities.

In order to make carbon offsetting more widespread, the airline has incentivised carbon offsetting with loyalty points and contribution matching—the first U.S.-based airline to do so. Customers earn ten Rapid Rewards bonus points for every $1 USD spent offsetting carbon emissions, and every dollar is matched by the airline to purchase additional offsets.

Bringing you closer to your sustainability goals, one step at a time

In order to make serious progress on global sustainability goals, the participation of everyone—from enterprises to individuals—is required.

Whether you’re far along or just at the beginning of your sustainability journey, CHOOOSE is ready to power your transition to net zero emissions. Join Southwest Airlines and other leading airlines worldwide in offering the highest quality carbon options to your customers. Learn more about CHOOOSE Connect.

About us: CHOOOSE™ is a venture-backed leader in technology-based climate action, building digital tools so that everyone, anywhere, can easily integrate climate action into everyday life and business. Through flexible integrations, customer-friendly interfaces, automated carbon measurement, and a connected marketplace of climate solutions, CHOOOSE delivers a complete platform that enables its partners to build and manage high-impact climate programs. Learn more at www.chooose.today.