Delta Cargo joins Sustainable Air Freight Alliance

Delta Cargo has joined the Sustainable Air Freight Alliance (SAFA) — a collaboration between shippers, freight forwarders and airlines to track and reduce emissions – as part of its initiative towards improving its environmental footprint.

The move follows Delta’s pledge, made earlier this year, to become the world’s first carbon neutral airline.

As part of its efforts, Delta has committed to spending $1bn over the next 10 years to mitigate all emissions from its global business.

Delta Cargo said it has already started taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint, including replacing light bulbs in its warehouses to energy-efficient LEDs and switching to electric tugs (pictured below). It is also working with its counterparts through SAFA to share best practices and create common goals and metrics. 

Delta electric tug

Shawn Cole, vice president of Delta Cargo, commented: “We’re proud to join SAFA as we accelerate our sustainability goals while also being aligned with our customers and their values.

“We are in the midst of the worst global pandemic in living memory, but we can’t afford to take sustainability off the agenda. Through this commitment, we are supporting Delta’s goal to be a more environmentally-friendly airline for generations to come.”

SAFA is facilitated by Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a nonprofit network and sustainability consultancy that has more than 250 member companies in its network.

Angie Farrag-Thibault, director, transport and logistics at BSR, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Delta Cargo to SAFA.

“When airlines, shippers, and freight forwarders collaborate, they can accelerate the development of new solutions and the implementation of best practices. By joining SAFA, Delta Cargo will contribute to an ambitious collective effort to reduce emissions from air freight, which is necessary to meet global climate goals.”