Environment
Climate Change
Climate change is a huge threat to humanity. Although air travel represent less than 3% of global emissions, it is fast growing and we recognize our duty to minimise our impacts and work towards achieving the industry-wide goal of a carbon-neutral growth.
Efficiency improvement
Improving fuel efficiency is a key pillar in lowering our greenhouse gas emissions. Our strategies focus on two key aspects; technology, and operations and Infrastructure. While we are reliant on the work of governments and regulators to ensure that we are allowed to fly the most efficient routes and operate in the most efficient manner during take-off and landing, these strategies help us to live up to our GHG emissions responsibilities.
Technology presents the best prospects for reducing aircraft emissions. As part of our continual efforts to improve fuel efficiency, we keep abreast of the latest aircraft technologies and regularly review the performance of our existing fleet. We introduce fuel-efficient aircraft to stay competitive and lower our carbon footprint.
In line with our efforts to add more fuel-efficient aircraft to our fleet, eight Airbus A350-1000 were delivered in 2018 with the remaining 12 scheduled for delivery by 2021. This follows the introduction of 22 Airbus A350-900s that entered into service since 2016, with six more to come by 2020.
The Airbus A350-1000 brings advanced technologies in aerodynamics and design. Built with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, the aircraft is lighter and more cost-efficient with reduced maintenance requirements. The combined technological advancement enables it to be 25 % more fuel efficient compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.
We have improved our fuel efficiency by 28% since 1998.
Biofuel
Compared to traditional jet fuel, biofuel can reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. Unlike fossil fuel, biofuel can be produced more sustainably, and there is little difference in terms of performance between fossil-based fuels and biofuel.
We have taken a leading stance in the investment and use of biofuel in the hope that it will become commercially viable for the mainstream. We have rolled out biofuel projects with world-renowned partners.
In 2014, Cathay Pacific, as the first airline investor, took an equity stake in Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. Fulcrum is a US-based sustainable biofuel developer, which is a world pioneer in the development and commercialisation of converting municipal solid waste into sustainable aviation fuel.
In May 2018, Fulcrum broke ground at its Sierra plant in Nevada, commencing construction of its bio-refinery plant. When the plant begins operations in 2020, it will be able to convert 175,000 tonnes of waste into more than 10 million gallons of fuel each year.
Cathay Pacific has committed to buying 1.1 million tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) over 10 years – enough for about 2% of our current operations. The Airbus A350 aircraft provides an ideal platform for the use of biofuel given its cutting-edge technology and high fuel efficiency.
Fly Greener
Through the Fly Greener programme, Cathay Pacific offers corporate and individual passengers to offset the carbon generated from their air travel in a credible and simple way.
Launched in 2007, it is the first of its kind in Asia. We source carbon credit from independently reviewed and accredited (Gold Standards) projects that actually reduce CO2 emissions. Our current carbon offset projects include community focused efficient cooking stoves and biogas digesters. All money paid for the offsets goes directly to the running of these projects and Cathay Pacific does not profit from this transaction in anyway.
To offset your travel with us, visit: Fly Greener website.