Abu Dhabi: Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics division of Etihad Airways, has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by achieving advanced ratings for key criteria in the BlueSky Sustainability Verification Program assessment. As the first Middle Eastern airline to join the program, Etihad Cargo’s sustainability initiatives and programs were independently evaluated against eight key objectives within the themes of environment, society, culture and leadership.
Through an evidence-based desktop verification assessment, independent validators reviewed Etihad Cargo’s sustainability efforts and recognized the carrier’s advancements in several areas. Notably, the airline received an advanced rating for the decarbonization objective, highlighting its investments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), fleet and ground vehicle upgrades to reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption reduction, and fleet optimization.
Etihad Cargo also excelled in the partnership category, emphasizing its collaborative approach to decarbonization. The airline has forged strategic alliances and industry collaborations to achieve its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Notable achievements include a collaboration agreement with Neste to promote the use of SAF, becoming the first international airline to receive SAF delivery in Japan, and actively working with global suppliers to secure sustainable aviation fuels. Etihad Cargo has also partnered with CEPSA to advance SAF research and development and explore energy alternatives.
The carrier’s dedication to protecting wildlife, both locally and internationally, garnered a strong performance rating for biodiversity protection. The ratings for waste management, supporting economies, livelihood and social well-being, efficiency, and workforce also reflect Etihad Cargo’s substantial progress towards its sustainability targets.
Mr. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President – Global Sales & Cargo, stated that, “The assessment results Etihad Cargo has achieved are a great achievement. While the air cargo industry is moving in the right direction, there is still much to do if the sector is to reach its net-zero targets by 2050. Etihad Cargo is committed to establishing partnerships and developing initiatives that will contribute to a greener future for the air cargo community, and the BlueSky Sustainability Verification Programme is a valuable tool in identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The results will act as an enabler for Etihad Cargo to further advance its sustainability efforts, and the carrier is actively targeting year-on-year progress.”
The BlueSky assessment by TIACA is set to be renewed every two years. Etihad Cargo will leverage the personalized dashboard and assessment results to support its sustainable transformation and will continue enhancing its cargo sustainability strategy and roadmap.