Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines, is embarking on an innovative approach to offset carbon emissions by integrating direct air capture (DAC) technology, in collaboration with Climeworks, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
This new initiative aims to mitigate the environmental impact of air cargo transport by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and achieving substantial emission reductions, Swiss WorldCargo said in a statement Thursday.
Climeworks is a leader in the DAC field, operating the world’s largest DAC and storage facilities in Iceland. Their technology captures CO2 from the air, which is then permanently stored underground.
By partnering with Climeworks, Swiss WorldCargo aims to leverage this cutting-edge technology to offset 20% of CO2 emissions generated by their shipments.
Additionally, the airline will use SAF, which offers an 80% net reduction in emissions compared to traditional aviation fuels.
The combined use of DAC and SAF under the “Aviation Tech Pioneer” banner will enable Swiss WorldCargo’s customers to support both the scale-up of essential technologies for achieving net-zero emissions in aviation and the reduction of their own scope 3 emissions.
Swiss WorldCargo is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and views this partnership as a crucial step toward a more sustainable future in the air cargo industry.
This initiative complements other efforts by the airline, including investments in SAF, the use of lightweight containers, and modern aircraft, all aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of air cargo transport.
DAC technologies also present a scalable solution for procuring atmospheric CO2, which can be utilized as a raw material in manufacturing next-generation synthetic fuels.
This innovation not only supports emission reductions but also promotes the development of sustainable fuel alternatives.
By integrating DAC and SAF, Swiss WorldCargo is positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable aviation practices, paving the way for broader adoption of these technologies within the industry.
