Climate change crucial for air cargo sector

Climate change has become a critical issue for the air cargo industry, Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu has warned.

The airline executive was making the opening address at the fourth Greener Skies Aviation and Environment Conference in Hong Kong.

Chu said: “Despite monumental efforts and tangible progress towards making sustainable aviation a reality, the challenge to address our environmental impact is even greater in the face of our continued growth, as the demand for our services increases.”

The Greener Skies conference focuses on two issues critical for airlines and their partners: the impact of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) , which launches on 1 January, and the rapid progress being made on the development of sustainable biofuels.

Chu told delegates: “Carbon trading is almost upon us. We have clear and comprehensive industry targets to tackle climate change. The notion of achieving carbon neutral growth is now firmly embedded into our strategic thinking.”

“But how carbon trading impacts airlines and the level of greenhouse emissions remains a critical issue, and the EU’s controversial ETS has led to legal challenges and fierce opposition and debate.”

On the subject of new aviation fuel solutions, Chu said sustainable aviation biofuels were an emerging reality.

“Sustainable biofuels, whilst ready as a drop-in solution and for commercial use, carry a price premium that makes them currently uncompetitive, and they are not yet available in sufficient quantities to meet our global fuel demand.” (IFW)

Back to archive