Scanning the Horizon: Time for the Planet Edition
- Céline Hourcade
- Mar 29, 2021
- 4 min read
🌱 We recently announced our support to Time for the Planet which ambitions to raise 1B euros and finance 100 companies with the most innovative ideas to combat global warming.
And last week, we were delighted to read so many articles about aviation & logistics' environmental responsibilities, focusing on concreate actions: measurement efforts, provision of new decision making tools, push for the use and further development of sustainable alternative fuels, transition plans to zero-emission vehicles...
CargoAI launched its CO2 emission calculator, using IATA RP1678 methodology
Sources: The Loadstar and CargoAI website
CargoAI wants to offer freight forwarders the option to choose routes and airlines based on their carbon impact and calculate the CO2 emitted from each shipment. They have developped a calculator, based on the IATA Recommended Practice 1678 for CO2 Emissions Measurement Methodology developed by the IATA Air Cargo Carbon Footprint (ACCF) working group, which establishes a methodology to measure the CO2 emissions generated by air cargo at shipment level.
This work was led by Celine Hourcade when she was working for IATA heading the Sustainability agenda 👏🌎. Using a standard mehodology helps air cargo players, customers and regulators to measure and report the same way. Measuring carbon footprint is the first step to reduce emissions as it allows informed and fact-based decision making process.
At Change Horizon, we applaud CargoAI for this calculator and encourage all digital booking platforms to do the same!
$8 billion roadmap to decarbonize DHL by 2030, focusing on climate-neutral logistics
Source: Air Cargo Eye
“As the world’s largest logistics company, it is our responsibility to lead the way and guide the logistics industry into a sustainable future. We are turning our yellow group [livery colour] into a green company and making an important contribution to our planet and society.” - Frank Appel, CEO of DPDHL Group
DHL’s new sustainability roadmap includes new ambitious climate targets:
Use of sustainable alternative fuels (SAF) for air operations: at least 30% of aviation and line haul fuel requirements to be covered by SAF by 2030
Expansion of the zero-emission e-vehicle fleet for short-distance and last-mile deliveries: from 16% in 2020 to 60% of the entire fleet in 2030
Transformation of ground infrastructure into climate-neutral buildings, including office space, mail and parcel centers, and logistics warehouses
Other commitments aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are added to DHL’s roadmap:
Gender equality: At least 30% of female management executives by 2025 (23.2% today)
Social impacts: 1% of DHL's annual net profits invested in social impact programmes and initiatives
EasyJet betting on ground-breaking technologies: hydrogen and electric aircraft instead of SAF
Source: FlightGlobal
Great interview last week of EasyJet's CEO Johan Lundgren by Eurocontrol! While recognizing SAF are a good solution for long-haul flights, Lundgren explained that SAF makes no sense for short-haul operators like EasyJet. He is betting instead on hydrogen and electric aircraft in the next decade or so and using offsetting mechanisms in the interim.
“there’s no doubt that it’s a matter of time when you’re going to see a large-scale, 150-, 180-seaters operating and flying [hydrogen or electric-powered aircraft]”, Lundgren says.
Earlier in 2020, US firm Wright Electric said it was aiming to conduct ground tests in 2021, and flight tests in three years’ time, of a motor intended to provide propulsion for an electric airliner. EasyJet is a partner on the programme to develop the 186-seat electric aircraft, known as Wright 1.
Destination 2050: a route to net zero CO2 emissions European aviation
Source: A4E
Destination 2050 signals European aviation’s ambition and determination to lead aviation globally in cutting carbon emissions, through 4 pillars:
Aircraft and engine technology
Air traffic management and aircraft operations
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Smart economic measures (carbon removal projects only)
Higher air transport prices expected due to the combined costs of these sustainability measures will likely result in a lower air transport demand, also contributing to reduce emissions (the scenario of Destination 2050 assumes an average compound annual passenger growth rate of 1.4%).
Destination 2050 highlights what the industry should do:
Continue to substantially invest in decarbonisation
Develop more fuel-efficient aircraft and bring these into operation through continued fleet renewal
Develop hydrogen-powered and (hybrid-)electric aircraft and associated supporting (airport) infrastructure and bring these into the market
Scale up drop-in SAF production and uptake
Implement the latest innovations in ATM and flight planning
Compensate remaining CO2 emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
The measures leading to net zero CO2 emissions from European aviation need to be realised through collective policies and actions by governments and industry and the report highlights what the governments should do as well:
Support industry investments by direct stimuli or by reducing investment risk through a consistent and long-term policy framework
Stimulate further development and deployment of innovations by funding research programmes and promoting carbon removal technologies
Work with the energy sector to ensure sufficient availability of renewable energy at affordable cost
Support the development of the SAF industry
Contribute to optimising ATM, in particular by fully implementing the Single European Sky
DB Schenker confirms commitments and actions towards environmentaly-friendly airfreight operations with SAF
Source: Cargo Forwarder Global
Thorsten Meincke, Board Member and COO Air + Ocean Freight at DB Schenker confirmed a former promise made by his company and Lufthansa Cargo, to operate one B777F long-haul flight once a week, from the end of March 2021 onwards, solely powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
According to the forwarder, SAF saves up to 80% CO2 compared to conventional kerosene. Carbon neutrality is achieved by complementing SAF usage with reforestation projects to offset greenhouse gases that are generated during the production of the biomass.
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