DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding have signed a new contract with IAG Cargo that will see them using an additional 60 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This agreement, spanning 2024 and 2025, marks the largest SAF deal between an airline and a customer to date and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 165,000 tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to taking a B747-400 freighter out of DHL’s intercontinental operations from the UK to the US.
The SAF utilized in this contract will be certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and sourced from materials like used cooking oil and food waste. Compared to traditional jet fuel, this type of SAF is known to result in around 80% lower lifecycle emissions. The SAF will predominantly be supplied to London Heathrow.
David Shepherd, the CEO of IAG Cargo, commented on the collaboration, stating, “By incorporating 60 million liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, we are not only cutting our carbon footprint by an estimated 165,000 tonnes of CO2e but also demonstrating the significant impact of working together to drive meaningful change. This showcases IAG Cargo’s dedication to sustainable airfreight solutions and moves us closer to our group target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
Max Sauberschwarz, Global head of air freight at DHL Global Forwarding, emphasized the importance of SAF and their ‘book and claim’ approach as an efficient method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in air freight. This strategy allows for GHG reductions to be allocated to customers through certificates, thereby enabling emissions to be decreased at their source.
Furthermore, DHL is offering its GoGreen Plus service, which enables customers to decarbonize their transportation by selecting sustainable options.
