At a glance
- Company
- Cathay Cargo
- Announcement
- Partnership
Key figures
- SAF purchase commitment
- 878 tonnes
- Equivalent fuel volume
- 290,000 US gallons
- Emissions reduction
- more than 2,600 tonnes
- SAF life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- more than 80%
- Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo SAF use target
- 10% of their jet fuel consumption by 2030
- Carbon-neutrality target year
- 2050
People
- Tom OwenCathay Director Cargo
- Susanne StemmerDB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation
- Alexander MentgenDB Schenker Global Air Freight Sustainability Manager
Products and programs
DB Schenker is the newest and biggest contributor to Cathay’s carbon-reduction programme
October 10, 2024 --
Cathay Cargo and DB Schenker jointly held a signing ceremony on 8 October at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters to mark the global forwarder’s membership of the Cathay Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme.
Attended by Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen and DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer, the ceremony marked DB Schenker’s stride forward in July to become the biggest contributor to the programme, underscoring both parties’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome DB Schenker here not only as the newest member of the Cathay Corporate SAF Programme, but also as its biggest contributor. It is great to have this level of support from such an important player in the air cargo industry as we work together to decarbonise aviation. This ceremony marks our appreciation for DB Schenker’s significant contribution to our collective efforts to fly Greener Together.”
The Cathay Corporate SAF Programme was established in 2022 to help tackle climate change. It enables members to purchase SAF for uplift on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo flights from Hong Kong and other ports on the network. By joining and committing to buy 878 tonnes of SAF (equivalent to 290,000 US gallons), DB Schenker will help reduce more than 2,600 tonnes in carbon emissions.
SAF, which can reduce more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions on a life-cycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel, is a crucial tool for the aviation industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As such, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo have committed to using SAF for 10% of their jet fuel consumption by 2030. The initiative goes hand in hand with Cathay Cargo’s Fly Greener programme, which offers carbon offsetting through Gold Standard certified community and environmental projects.
DB Schenker first adopted SAF for a proportion of its transport volumes in 2020 as part of its carbon-reduction programme. DB Schenker Global Air Freight Sustainability Manager Alexander Mentgen said: “SAF is making change possible already today. Our new SAF alliance with Cathay Cargo enhances our sustainability commitment and leadership in the skies.”
Speaking at the event, DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer added: “We are very excited about this collaboration with Cathay Cargo, which will contribute to a more sustainable future for our industry and enhance our long-lasting global partnership with Cathay.”
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Questions around this news
What is sustainable aviation fuel?
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is aviation fuel produced from non-fossil sources, such as waste materials or certain renewable feedstocks. Depending on how it is made and transported, its full life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions can be lower than those of conventional jet fuel. It can be used in aircraft fuel systems subject to applicable specifications.
How much can SAF reduce greenhouse-gas emissions?
The release says SAF can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 80% on a life-cycle basis compared with conventional jet fuel. It describes the fuel as a tool for aviation’s carbon-neutrality goals and says Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo aim to use SAF for 10% of their jet-fuel consumption by 2030.
How is carbon offsetting different from reducing emissions directly?
Direct reductions lower emissions from an activity itself, for example by changing energy sources or improving efficiency. Carbon offsetting supports projects that reduce or remove emissions elsewhere, with the resulting credits used to compensate for emissions that remain. The two approaches are distinct, though organizations may use both as part of climate plans.
