Glyn Hughes, Director General, The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)

https://tiaca.org
Author picture

Glyn Hughes, Director General, The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)

Sustainability has evolved from an industry buzzword to an operational prerequisite. Within the sustainability moniker, decarbonization is by far the aspect that is gaining most attention as customers, partners, employees, financiers, regulators and others demand action.

Consequentially, we are seeing some major pharmaceutical manufactures and others indicating they will be reviewing supply chains to look at lessening their environmental impact.

Having said that, the air cargo industry isn’t just lying still; it’s investing significant sums in new, more fuel-efficient fleets, electrified ground support equipment and solar farms within airport real estate, to name just a few initiatives. But more needs to be done as we have to ensure the global economy can continue to thrive with a strong logistics sector enabling global producers to reach consumers around the world.

Global trade is a key driver of national economic prosperity, and we need to ensure these global benefits form part of the debate about global supply chains.

The aviation industry has committed to a net zero target from 2050, with some entities within that even committing to an earlier time frame.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be the core component of the aviation industry reaching its target but it’s not only that.

SAF production needs to be ramped up extensively to bring the cost down to an economically viable level. This will only be achievable through significant government support. Other measures such as new propulsion systems and better integration of air space will also contribute to the overall target.