Southwest Airlines has announced a $10 million commitment to the Yale University Center for Natural Carbon Capture (YCNCC) in support of research to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.

Established in March, the center takes inspiration from natural processes to develop strategies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safely storing it within plants, soils, rocks, and oceans. The center also aims to develop methods for industrial carbon capture to convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels, plastics, and building materials. In addition, the gift will support research and educational efforts at the Yale School of the Environment, including an exploration of the current state of sustainability, strategy, policy, and economics, with an emphasis on trends related to the aviation industry and new ways to reduce atmospheric carbon.

“The climate crisis is the biggest challenge we face as a species,″ said Michael Crair, vice provost for research at Yale. “To find solutions, we will need the very best efforts of scientists and policy experts at Yale and around the world. It’s a collaborative effort, and I am so grateful that Southwest Airlines has stepped forward to join our efforts in creating a sustainable future.″