The trial will provide a proof of concept for the cargo component of the IATA CO2 Connect carbon calculator, providing the value chain and consumers with reliable and trustworthy data.
It has been providing data for passenger flights since June with fuel burn data of 57 aircraft types representing about 98% of the active global passenger fleet.
Calculating the carbon impact of cargo shipments is more challenging due to predicting routing at the time of booking that often includes non-air segments.
Cargo can also be carried on freighters and in the belly of passenger aircraft so 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.
IATA will work with Etihad Cargo to track the necessary data for cargo shipments during a 3-month trial, and Etihad will share data from flights and advise 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 precise and consistent methodologies for passenger and cargo operations.
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, says, “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.”
Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President for Commercial Products and Services at IATA, adds that aviation will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and customers need accurate information on emissions to manage their own commitments and reporting obligations.
He says: “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.”