Lufthansa Cargo said it is on track with its goal to achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2050.
During its Sustainability Conference on July 14, Lufthansa executives said the Lufthansa Group relies on a measurable corporate commitment to sustainability on the basis of science-based targets for the reduction targets of greenhouse gas emissions.
Lufthansa Cargo said it will also derive its own emissions target from the Lufthansa Group's validated science-based targets.
The Lufthansa Group — and thus also Lufthansa Cargo — have earlier set an ambitious climate protection target to halve net CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 and to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050.
In order to further specify these net targets and to expand the target system to include pure reduction targets, it has already joined the so-called "Science Based Target Initiative" (SBTi) in 2021 in order to bring its CO₂ reduction path into line with the United Nations' Paris Climate Agreement.
Based on scientific calculations, CO₂ emissions are continuously reduced with the help of fleet renewal and optimization, improved operational efficiency, and the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
The Science Based Targets Initiative only accepts emission reductions that are the result of fuel consumption reductions, for example through modern new aircraft, operational and airspace infrastructure measures, and the substitution of fossil fuel with SAF.
"Over the past 25 years, we have already been able to reduce our CO₂ footprint per ton kilometre by 52%. But that is still not enough. That is why we want to set ourselves ambitious targets for the future," Dorothea von Boxberg, chairperson of the executive board and CEO of Lufthansa Cargo said during the event.
"With the 'Science Based Targets Initiative,' we have found a credible, scientific basis for this. We want to be transparent about what we have achieved so far and just as open with our customers, partners and the public about how we can get even better," con Boxberg added.
For Lufthansa Cargo, the efforts to achieve complete CO₂ neutrality focus primarily on five fields of action: continuous fleet modernization, more efficient use of fuels, the switch to more sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), CO₂ compensation projects in other sectors, and reduction of emissions on the ground.
Lufthansa Cargo noted that it is investing heavily in continuous fleet modernization. As a result, CO₂ emissions have already been reduced by 52% over the past 25 years.
Since October 2021, Lufthansa Cargo has completely converted its fleet to Boeing 777F freighters — currently the most modern and efficient freighter with the best environmental balance.
By 2030, Lufthansa Cargo will also receive up to 10 additional Boeing freighters, including seven 777-8F freighters, Boeing's next-generation freighter.
It added that the Boeing 777-8F freighters will again significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.
In terms of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Lufthansa Cargo said it is one of the pioneers in the use of SAF in the airfreight industry and more than 1% of Lufthansa Cargo's fuel requirements in 2021 have already been covered by SAF.
The airfreight company also currently offers the only regular full-charter cargo connection worldwide that is 100% covered by SAF. It noted that this saves around 174 tons of conventional kerosene each week.
