IAG Cargo and Bolloré Logistics are partnering for the purchase of one million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain.

The SAF is seen to reduce approximately 2,400 tonnes of CO2 on a net lifecycle basis. It will be delivered in two shipments — the first tranche in July and November 2022.

IAG Cargo, the cargo arm of International Airlines Group (IAG), has purchased more than 10 million liters of SAF in the past year to cut the net lifetime emissions of its customers' supply chains by almost 24,400 tonnes of CO2.

SAF is largely regarded as the most effective way to drastically minimize the environmental impact of air freight and can reduce carbon emissions by over 90%. IAG was the first European airline group to pledge in April 2021 that by 2030, SAF would make up 10% of its fuel.

Cutting emissions by 30%

"We are indeed committed to cutting 30% by 2030, compared to 2019, of our Scope 3 CO2 emissions generated by the execution of transport. This commitment is important to us but moreover for our customers so that they can meet their carbon emission reduction targets," Philippe de Crecy, vice president of airfreight Europe of Bolloré Logistics.

In July 2021, Bolloré Logistics announced the introduction of AIRsaf, a new solution based on the usage of SAF that would give its customers the most environmentally friendly method of shipping goods by air while cutting carbon emissions by as much as 80%.

This solution applies to irregular or recurring shipments carried out by several airline operators on all geographical routes.

Meanwhile, the announcement noted that the SAF will be manufactured at Phillips 66 Humber Refinery in North Lincolnshire UK, and will come from sustainable waste feedstocks.