 Founded in 2022, 280 Earth was created to scale up groundbreaking research developed at X, The Moonshot Factory (formerly Google X). Backed by Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and supported by leading CDR buyers including Frontier Climate, a carbon-removal fund created to finance over $1 billion in carbon removal efforts from 2022 through 2030 – 280 Earth is at the forefront of developing scalable carbon removal solutions. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is an advanced carbon removal technology that extracts carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from ambient air to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. 280 Earth’s DAC system captures CO₂ through an energy-efficient, continuous-flow process for permanent storage, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. The technology can also be integrated with industrial sites to utilize waste heat, further enhancing efficiency. 280 Earth’s first DAC facility has been operational in The Dalles, Oregon since May 2024. The module is capable of removing 500 tons of CO₂ annually (tpa), and site development is planned to scale up to 20,000 tpa. Beyond carbon removal, 280 Earth’s process also generates clean water,adding further environmental benefits. Since 2012, Volotea has actively pursued sustainability in aviation, implementing more than 50 initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. These efforts have already resulted in a 46.2% reduction in CO₂ emissions per passenger-kilometer compared to 2012, with the airline committed to a target of a 50% reduction by 2030—expecting to reach this goal four to five years ahead of schedule. Volotea continues to invest in emerging technologies that support aviation’s environmental transformation as part of its broader sustainability strategy and verified Voloterra program.[1] The collaboration with 280 Earth aligns with this approach, supporting the development of innovative solutions that could play a role in long-term emissions reduction. Through this collaboration, Volotea and 280 Earth will explore the development and use of high-quality carbon credits—certified instruments that represent the removal of one metric ton of CO₂from the atmosphere. Carbon credits can be used to offset emissions and support compliance with global sustainability standards, including the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the international framework for addressing aviation’s carbon footprint. [2] As part of the agreement, the two companies will also evaluate financing mechanisms for sustainability projects and identify how verified emissions reduction efforts can contribute to broader decarbonization strategies. | |
Carlos Muñoz, Founder and CEO of Volotea, shared: "Advancing sustainability in aviation requires collaboration with forward-thinking partners across industries, this is why today we are very excited to announce this agreement with 280 Earth, leaders in carbon removal technology. We believe working together with 280 Earth will allow us to assess innovative approaches that could support emissions reduction, a key pillar of our ESG strategy."
John Pimentel, CEO of 280 Earth, added: “280 Earth is pleased to be working with such a forward thinking and well-intentioned company as Volotea. We expect this partnership will provide us deeper understanding of how airlines are addressing their CORSIA requirements and how 280 Earth can meet the needs of corporations seeking to decarbonize through high integrity, permanent engineered CO₂ removals.”
This collaboration highlights the potential of innovation-driven partnerships in advancing sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of air travel, and supports 280 Earth’s expansion into the European market. Combining Volotea’s expertise in aviation with 280 Earth’s leadership in Direct Air Capture technology paves the way for new approaches to emissions reduction. Tags: John Pimentel, 280 Earth Carlos Muñoz, Volotea |
