Top sustainability stories of 2021

Aviation currently accounts for around 12% of all carbon dioxide emissions from transport sources, according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). While that may seem like a small number, the airfreight industry has understood that growth comes with the responsibility to lessen its carbon emissions to promote a healthier planet. In turn, air cargo stakeholders have dedicated time, effort and resources toward actively reducing its carbon emissions through various sustainability initiatives. We at Air Cargo World have collected this year’s top sustainability stories to review the ways the industry has worked together to promote greener skies. Read on for this year’s major stories: [caption id="attachment_95296" align="alignright" width="335"] Photo courtesy of United Airlines[/caption] United Airlines launches Eco-Skies Alliance program for sustainable aviation fuel U.S. carrier United Airlines launched its Eco-Skies Alliance program in April and agreed to collectively purchase roughly 3.4 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year with the help of its program partners. Since then, the program has gained significant support, with Bollore Logistics, A.P. Moller-Maersk and Yusen Logistics joining the program in early December . Chinese partners join Air France-KLM Cargo’s SAF program Air France-KLM Cargo is another carrier that has launched its own SAF program, and welcomed Chinese freight forwarders AWOT Global Express, CTS International Logistics Corp., Jobmate International Logistics, Sinotrans Global E-commerce Logistics and Xiamen SuperTrans in July. Through the SAF partnership, the forwarders aim to provide green, eco-friendly options on routes connecting China with Europe and South America. Consultant Insight: FedEx and UPS emphasize the importance of sustainability [caption id="attachment_95242" align="alignright" width="341"] UPS Flight Forward to purchase ten Alia-250c eVTOL aircraft. Photo courtesy of UPS.[/caption] FedEx and UPS have committed toward achieving carbon neutrality by investing in vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, carbon sequestration, and more. As part of its goal to be carbon neutral by 2040, FedEx will replace its parcel pickup and delivery fleet with zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs). UPS is also investing in EVs and plans to buy 10,000 vehicles to add to its fleet in North America and Europe. DHL pilots SAF program as part of United’s Eco-Skies Alliance DHL Global Forwarding signed on as an inaugural partner in United Airlines’ Eco-Skies Alliance program, and is piloting a “book and claim” system that aims to make sustainable aviation fuel more accessible to the industry. Universal hydrogen eyes cargo aircraft retrofits [caption id="attachment_97221" align="alignright" width="336"] ASL Airlines has ATR 72s registered in Ireland and the U.K. (Photo/Universal Hydrogen)[/caption] The airfreight industry has been exploring and investing in hydrogen propulsion technology as an alternative fuel source. Los Angeles-based startup Universal Hydrogen secured $20.5 million in a financing round this year with plans to develop conversion kits to retrofit passenger airplanes with its hydrogen fuel cell. ASL Aviation Holdings recently announced it is also exploring the use of modular hydrogen capsules for its ATR 72 freighters, as part of a deal with Universal Hydrogen.

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