CEVA Logistics joins United’s sustainability initiative

CEVA Logistics has joined United Airlines’ sustainability initiative, the Eco-Skies Alliance.

United said that through its Eco-Skies Alliance, it is partnering with businesses such as CEVA Logistics to power future flying in a more sustainable way.

CEVA Logistics and other Eco-Skies Alliance companies are working with United to collectively purchase approximately 3.4m gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this year.

“With its nearly 80% emissions reductions on a lifecycle basis compared with conventional jet fuel, this is enough SAF to eliminate approximately 31,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or enough to fly passengers more than 200m miles,” said a spokesperson for CEVA Logistics.

In addition to the Eco-Skies Alliance program, which targets businesses, United also enabling its individual customers to contribute funds to purchase SAF, which the carrier will use to help lower its carbon footprint. 

Mathieu Friedberg, chief executive of CEVA Logistic, commenteds: “At CEVA, we deliver responsive logistics for our customers, and as part of the CMA CGM Group, we’re strongly committed to acting for the planet in the areas of climate change, air quality and biodiversity.

“With our participation in the United Eco-Skies Alliance, CEVA is taking tangible action today, with an eye on the solutions of tomorrow. Offering a SAF option to our air cargo customers in partnership with United demonstrates CEVA’s commitment to a more sustainable supply chain.

“We applaud the participation of each member of the Alliance.”

Says Scott Kirby, chief executive of United Airlines, added: “While we’ve partnered with companies for years to help them offset their flight emissions, we applaud those participating in the Eco-Skies Alliance for recognising the need to go beyond carbon offsets and support SAF-powered flying, which will lead to more affordable supply and ultimately, lower emissions. This is just the beginning. Our goal is to add more companies to the Eco-Skies Alliance, purchase more SAF and work together to find other innovative paths towards decarbonisation.”

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In recent months, other companies have been highlighting their sustainability efforts, as the airfreight sector works towards operating in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Last month, DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo teamed up again to launch a regular CO2-neutral freighter route, operating between Frankfurt and Shanghai.

Also last month, Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) entered into an agreement with American Airlines to deploy 11m litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

In December last year, DHL Express signed a deal with energy firm Shell Aviation that will see it being supplied sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to power flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Also in December, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) and K+N partnered to launch a zero emissions airfreight route, enabling K+N’s cargo on Los Angeles—Amsterdam flights to be covered by SAF.

Atlas Air also carried out a flight with a SAF mix.

SAF refers to sustainable, synthetic kerosene. It is currently produced mainly from biomass, for example from sustainable or recyclable vegetable and cooking oils. In the future, non-plant-based renewable fuels will also be available.

By using SAF, the fossil CO2 emissions of a flight with conventional kerosene are avoided. During combustion in the engine, only CO2 is released that was previously removed from the atmosphere, for example during plant growth.