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Cathay Pacific takes steps to achieve ‘green’ target | |
| Staff Writer |
The need to reduce carbon footprints is growing in both the public and private sector leaders are taking much-needed action on climate change. The aviation industry is no different with most airline companies trying their best to work for sustainability and minimising their environmental impact.
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Despite the challenges, Cathay Pacific Airways has pledged to go net-zero carbon by 2050. Using sustainable aviation fuels, investing in a modern and fuel-efficient fleet such as the Airbus A350s and the Airbus A321neos, and increasing focus on its carbon offset program - Fly Greener apart from reducing aircraft, as well as on-ground emissions, are initiatives the airline has taken up.
Speaking exclusively to Travel and Tourism News Middle East, the Regional Manager for the Vishnu Rajendran said, “Decarbonisation in the aviation sector is crucial because flying accounts for 3 percent of worldwide CO2 emissions, making it a significant polluter. Our top priority is to reduce CO2 emissions and we’ve already made great strides in taking an active and collaborative approach in creating breakthrough innovations needed to eliminate these.”
Initiatives are also underway to make the airlines more accessible and disabled-friendly.
Cathay Pacific is also the pioneer of the Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT) established recently to address the challenge of eliminating carbon emissions in aviation through collaboration and innovation.
According to Rajendran, Cathay Pacific has led the way in decarbonization efforts throughout the years, becoming the first airline company in 2014 to invest in Fulcrum BioEnergy, which develops Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Cathay Pacific is also one of the first Asian airlines to set a timeline for attaining carbon neutrality.
“We plan to use SAF for 10 percent of our entire fuel usage by 2030,” Rajendran said, adding that “cross-sector partnerships will help us meet the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
“Currently, sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend,” Rajendran said. He added that using SAF is critical to decarbonizing our operations in the next decades. “Our pledge to use SAF for up to 10 percent of our total fuel use by 2030 is a clear indicator of our desire to meet our net-zero emissions target and be a leader in the battle against climate change.”
Cathay Pacific has also pledged to reduce its absolute ground emissions by 32 percent by 2030 through strengthening energy-saving measures and adopting renewable energy solutions. The Hong Kong-based carrier has invested in technology that provides operational improvements such as e-Enabled Aircraft Programmes, Reducing Engine Taxi-In (RETI), and electronic Flight Folder that helps achieve operational efficiency while also reducing greenhouse gas emission.
Despite all efforts being made it is essential to acknowledge that to decrease their carbon footprint, policymakers, the energy sector, aircraft, engine manufacturers, and even consumers must make a conscious and concerted effort to change.