The Cathay Pacific Group has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, becoming one of the first airlines in Asia to establish a timeline for making carbon neutrality a reality.

The airline’s announcement comes as the Group released its Sustainable Development Report 2020, which details the Group’s strategy and performance in environmental, social and governance aspects.

“The unprecedented pandemic has shaken the world and showed us that ‘business as usual’ is not an option when dealing with imminent global risk. Climate change, potentially a much more disruptive crisis, calls for ramped-up efforts,” Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Augustus Tang said.

The Hong Kong flag carrier noted that while the aviation industry contributed less than 3% of the world’s man-made CO2 emissions prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Cathay Pacific embraces its responsibility to lead the charge towards sustainable aviation.

“Our net-zero pledge aligns with the requirements laid out in the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Agreement, and provides the focus we need in aligning our strategy – from fleet planning and carbon offsetting to further investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel and the development of new technologies,” Tang added.

Cathay Pacific noted that the key focus areas to reach carbon neutrality include investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with the aim of making it viable for mainstream adoption; offsetting carbon emissions; and reducing emissions through efficiency enhancement.

Compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%.

"In 2014, Cathay Pacific became the first airline investor in Fulcrum BioEnergy, a pioneer in converting everyday household waste into SAF. The Group has committed to purchasing 1.1 million tonnes of SAF over 10 years, which will cover around 2% of our total fuel requirements from 2023 onwards," the carrier said.

It said the group is also constantly working to reduce aircraft emissions, such as by upgrading to a new fuel-efficient fleet and reducing engine used on the ground.

Cathay Pacific is also committed to cutting our ground emissions by 32% from the 2018 baseline before the end of 2030.