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    Climate action

    Climate change is a major threat to humanity. While air travel currently represents less than 3 per cent of global emissions, we recognise our duty to minimise our impacts and drive the industry towards carbon-neutral growth.

    We are one of the first Asian airlines to commit to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We will achieve this by spearheading the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, investing in new technology and fuel-efficient aircraft, offsetting our carbon emissions, and reducing ground emissions. And we are one of the airlines that has the lowest carbon emissions on average when carrying a unit payload (passenger or cargo in tonnes) for the same distance flown.

     

    What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

    Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a clean alternative to fossil jet fuel that is produced from sustainable and renewable sources - such as agricultural residue, waste oils, municipal solid waste, industrial waste gases, or other non-fossil carbon sources - it has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 100 per cent, based on the total carbon output created from every stage of production, distribution and usage.

     

    From waste to wing: our SAF investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy

    Cathay Pacific has made pioneering efforts to support SAF development for more than a decade. In 2014, we became the first airline to invest in Fulcrum BioEnergy, a US-based sustainable biofuel developer that is pioneering the conversion of municipal solid waste into SAF, and we have also committed to buying 1.1 million tonnes of SAF over 10 years. In 2021, we reaffirmed our commitment by pledging to use SAF for 10 per cent of Cathay Pacific’s total fuel consumption by 2030 and facilitated the first ever usage of SAF at Hong Kong International Airport.

    How SAF works

    Collection

    Municipal waste is collected.

    Segregation

    Materials are recycled. Suitable waste for jet fuel is consolidated.

    Conversion

    Waste is converted into jet fuel through a thermochemical process.

    Delivery

    Fuel is blended, tested and delivered to the airport.

    100% lifecycle reduction

    Lowered greenhouse gas emissions make SAF a greener fuel source.

    We have also launched a corporate SAF programme to help our customers choose a sustainable path.

    We are a founding member of the Aviation Climate Taskforce , a non-profit organisation created to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies in decarbonising air travel.

    Fleet renewal and tech upgrades

    We constantly review the performance of our fleet and invest in new fuel-efficient aircraft, modern technology and continuous operational improvements.

    Our new and upcoming aircraft include:

    21 x Boeing 777-9

    21 x Boeing 777-9

    Up to 21% improved fuel efficiency.

    32 x A321neo

    32 x A321neo

    20% more fuel-efficient.

    48 x A350-900/1000

    48 x A350-900/1000

    Lighter, aerodynamic design and 25% more fuel-efficient.

    We are also committed to cutting back on emissions with newer, smarter technology.

    Paperless cockpits

    Paperless cockpits

    Smart tablets have replaced paper manuals on all flights, saving 1 million litres of fuel, 13,400 tonnes of paper and 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

    Renewable energy

    Renewable energy

    Solar panels have been installed on top of Cathay City, saving up to 150,000 kilograms of carbon emissions each year.



    Slashing ground emissions

    Slashing ground emissions

    We will cut ground emissions by 32% by 2030, and by 55% by 2035 (compared to 2018).

    Scope 3 mapping

    Scope 3 carbon emissions mapping

    In 2022, we mapped all of the scope 3 indirect carbon emissions created by our airlines and ground operations in Hong Kong. It’s given us clear focus areas to prioritise for reduction.

    What can you do? Fly Greener

    We introduced our carbon offset programme Fly Greener in 2007. The logic is simple: CO2 generated from air travel is offset by investment in projects that reduce or prevent the equivalent amount of CO2 from being generated elsewhere. Some of these projects include improving cooking methods in Bangladesh, generating clean energy in India as well as providing organic waste bio-digesters and solar-powered cookers in rural areas of the Chinese Mainland.

    Our carbon calculator works out the carbon emissions for your specific flight and shows the equivalent monetary contribution which will help offset your CO2 emissions.

    We also offer customised solutions for corporate customers to help offset emissions from business travel. Contact sustainability@cathaypacific.com for more details.

     

    Discover our cargo carbon offset solution

    We are developing a carbon offset solution for our cargo customers. 

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