- Air freight turns to mandatory sustainability, as SAF, emissions reporting, and operational efficiency drive decarbonisation.
- Digital tools, artificial intelligence and data systems are key to tracking, reporting and improving emissions across the supply chain.
- Sustainability-related collaboration, measurement and finance are increasingly shaping investment, strategy and alignment across the industry.
Air cargo operators, freight forwarders and supply chain partners are entering a more regulated sustainability environment, driven by new disclosure frameworks, emissions reporting rules, and industry-wide decarbonisation targets. Regulatory change is moving sustainability beyond voluntary commitments, with mandatory Scope 3 emissions reporting set to expand significantly under Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR) rules by 2027. At the same time, governments, financiers and customers are lobbying for tangible progress towards the sector goal of net zero by 2050, and an increased focus on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), operational efficiency, and data transparency.
Sustainability performance has become integrated into the business decision-making process. “Sustainability has become a factor in doing business,” said Glenn Hughes, Director General of the International Air Cargo Association (TIAC).
“Regulators, funders, clients and employees are all looking for evidence that organizations understand and can demonstrate their environmental and social impact.”
Chris McDermott, CEO of CHAMP, said sustainability reporting impacts how companies evaluate technology and invest capital. “We are seeing more companies hiring senior roles dedicated to sustainability,” he said. “This is now linked to strategy, not just reporting.”
SAF pathways and net zero commitment
The Sudanese Armed Forces are expected to provide the largest share of the air transport sector’s contribution to decarbonization over the next three decades. The ambitious long-term target of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and regional policies, including the EU Aviation Refueling Regulation, position the SAF as the primary route to reducing aviation emissions while maintaining global cargo capacity. ReFuelEU requires that SAF blending rise from today’s minimum usage to 70 percent by 2050, representing a structural shift in how airlines procure and manage fuel.
However, the current availability to the Sudanese Armed Forces remains limited. Production capacity is constrained, and costs remain three to five times higher than conventional aviation fuel. Raw material supplies, certification processes, and regional policy mismatches further restrict scalability. “SAF currently costs three to five times the cost of conventional jet fuel, and expanding production requires significant capital investment,” said Arnaud Broglie, founder and CEO of Impact, which operates a marketplace for SAF certifications.
Forwarders and shippers are increasingly looking to SAF-based services to meet their emissions reduction obligations. Leading logistics operators have introduced programs that allow customers to purchase SAF-related emission reductions for individual shipments. Many airlines have also expanded options to purchase SAF at the booking level. This is creating new business models in which airlines and freight forwarders act as intermediaries between SAF producers and freight customers.
Certification has become essential to prevent double counting and ensure that emissions claims are auditable. SAF certificates decouple the environmental character of a fuel from its physical use, allowing airlines to claim Scope 1 reductions and shippers to claim Scope 3 reductions using the same emission savings verified under applicable accounting rules. CHAMP, for example, has supported clients’ reporting needs with data-supported documentation associated with hydroelectric data centers. “Customers need audited data to accurately report emissions,” said Marjorie Guerrero, executive assistant to the CEO and ESG coordinator at CHAMP.
Operational efficiency, data systems and technology integration
With Sudanese Air Force supplies limited in the near term, transportation and cargo handling companies are seeking operational efficiency measures to reduce emissions intensity. Improved flight planning, optimization of aircraft weight and stabilization systems, and ground efficiency measures lead to incremental reductions. Aircraft models continue to improve in efficiency, but fleet renewal cycles remain constrained by supply chain lead times and capital availability. Industry reports indicate that the global commercial fleet is aging due to extended asset life cycles and delivery delays.
Digitization is key to reducing emissions and preparing for reporting. Automated tracking, improved network planning and sensor-based fleet management enable more accurate measurement of fuel burn and resource allocation. Scope 3 reporting, in particular, requires standardized data exchange between airlines, freight forwarders and shippers. Industry surveys show that data consistency remains a major barrier to reliable sustainability reporting. “Collecting and aligning data across stakeholders is one area where companies struggle the most,” Hughes said.
AI and IoT tools are integrated to support predictive resource management, real-time visibility, and continuous tracking of emissions. However, the increasing use of data-intensive systems leads to energy resource implications. McDermott stressed that digital infrastructure planning must incorporate the availability of renewable energy.
“Technology is essential for efficiency gains, but the power supplies needed for data engineering must be aligned with sustainability goals.”
The growth of sustainability-related financing is also changing the investment landscape. Financial institutions are increasingly applying emissions and governance standards to their lending and investment terms. Some financing agreements require ongoing reporting on sustainability performance, linking interest rates or access to credit to verified results. Industry consultants point out that sustainability-linked financing accelerates board-level engagement and influences purchasing decisions for IT systems, vehicles, equipment and facilities.
Collaborative frameworks are emerging to support harmonization and performance measurement. Tiaca’s BlueSky sustainability assessment software provides companies with structured assessment and comparison tools across multiple dimensions, including environmental, social and governance factors. Such frameworks are used to identify gaps, set investment priorities, and compare performance across regions and business models. “Assessment tools like BlueSky help companies measure sustainability performance and prioritize investment,” Hughes said.
The trend of policy and regulatory development indicates that sustainability reporting and fuel transition requirements will become more stringent. As compliance expands, air cargo stakeholders are focusing on building resilient data systems, integrating SAF-based business models, and coordinating emissions strategies across supply chain partners. The sector’s decarbonisation path will require sustained investment, cross-industry collaboration, and further development of verifiable reporting practices. “The next generation of sustainability leaders will need the technological vision and operational expertise to create meaningful change,” McDermott said.
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