United Airlines (UAL  ) recently announced that it has reached a deal with ZeroAvia, a firm that emphasizes electric motor vehicles through the usage of hydrogen fuel cells, to buy up to 100 ZA2000-RJ zero-emission, fully hydrogen-electric engines.

The driving reason behind this investment from United Airlines is that the commercial airline plans to become completely green through the reduction of GHG emissions by the year 2050, without depending on carbon ones.

"Hydrogen-electric engines are one of the most promising paths to zero-emission air travel for smaller aircraft, and this investment will keep United out in front on this important emerging technology," said Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, in a press statement. "United continues to look for opportunities to not only advance our own sustainability initiatives but also identify and help technologies and solutions that the entire industry can adopt."

The reason that hydrogen-electric engines are so important is because they utilize fuel cells to energize electric motors rather than burning fossil fuel. Since fuel is not burned, the environment does not become harmed, and there is no carbon that is unleashed into the surrounding atmosphere. However, there remains many growing worries and concerns regarding environmental sustainability.

The World Wildlife Fund reports air travel as "the most carbon intensive activity an individual can make," and there have been many conversations regarding how new technologies would be able to reduce the amounts of carbon footprints. The ZA2000-RJ is anticipated for utilization in pairs for the usage of regional aircraft. United Airlines also intends to obtain a conditional purchase agreement for 50 ZeroAvia ZA2000-RJ engines with the choice of up to 50 more.

United Airlines' purchase of ZeroAvia's ZA2000-RJ has been made in the attempts to go completely green when it comes to future air travel. Overall, it will be healthier for the atmosphere, and allow for more room when it comes to environmental sustainability, which will please many individuals across the globe.