IATA and Etihad trial CO2 emission calculator for air cargo

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be trialling a CO₂ emissions calculation tool specifically developed for cargo flights together with Etihad Airways.

To effectively manage and report on sustainability progress, the entire value chain, shippers, forwarders, investors and regulators, along with consumers are asking for reliable and trustworthy data calculations. This trial will provide a valuable proof of concept for the cargo component of the IATA CO₂ Connect carbon calculator.

IATA has been successfully providing IATA CO₂ Connect for passenger flights since June 2022, with actual fuel burn data of 57 aircraft types representing, 98 per cent of the active global passenger fleet . By using airline specific data on fuel burn and load factors, it is the most accurate in the market.

Calculating the carbon impact of cargo shipments has more challenging parameters, not least of which is the unpredictability of routing at time of booking an air cargo shipment that can often include non-air segments. In addition, cargo can be carried on both dedicated freighter aircraft and in the bellies of passenger aircraft. To achieve equal levels of accuracy to the passenger calculator, it is essential to collect actual data on fuel burn, load factors and other key variables in trials.

IATA will be working with Etihad Cargo to track the necessary data for cargo shipments during a three-month trial. Etihad will be sharing data from flights and advising on various use cases to achieve the highest levels of accuracy, consistency and transparency.

By mid-2023 IATA aims to launch CO₂ Connect for Cargo providing the industry with precise and consistent methodologies for both passenger and cargo operations.

“With a strong commitment to innovation, Etihad Cargo actively seeks out and facilitates the development, trials and launch of promising solutions for its customers and partners. The airline’s development with IATA demonstrates the ability and willingness to co create solutions to support Etihad Cargo’s journey to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and demonstrates the carrier’s agility in adopting state-of-the-art technology and digital solutions. IATA’s CO₂ Connect carbon calculator will be an effective tool in making the transportation of cargo more sustainable and will benefit not only Etihad Cargo’s customers but also the wider air cargo sector in the future” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group.

Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Products & Services added: “Aviation will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. And our customers, travellers and shippers, need accurate information on the emissions related to their activities to manage their own commitments and reporting obligations.  For all these purposes, accurate data is critical. IATA CO₂ Connect already provides this for passenger operations. This trial with Etihad will help us in bringing an industry-leading carbon calculator for cargo in the coming months.”