Sustainability in Air Freight
Elevate your sustainable commitment
We have the capability to lead our customers towards effective carbon reduction. By choosing to ship your goods with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), we offer a customizable suite of environmental attributes to support your sustainability journey. Together, we can reduce the Scope 3 emissions*.
Join us on our way to sustainable logistics.
Rethink the Business: Scope 3 Emissions
At DB SCHENKER, we include air transportation emissions under Scope 3 emissions. The services we provide, which occur in the tailpipe phase (TTW, tank-to-wheel), fall primarily under our carriers’ Scope 1 emissions, such as aircraft fuel combustion, and our customers’ Scope 3 emissions.
*Scope 3 emissions refer to indirect greenhouse gas emissions occurring throughout a company's value chain, both upstream and downstream. Scope 1 emissions include direct emissions generated by an organization's own operations, such as fuel combustion in company-owned facilities or vehicles. Scope 2 emissions account for indirect emission related to the production of purchased electricity, heating, or cooling that the organization consumes.
Carbon Dioxide Equivalent by mode of transport
On average, fossil-fueled air freight produces 50 to 150 times more CO2e per ton-kilometer than ocean freight and 5 to 6 times more than land freight. The range depends on the type of vehicle and fuel used. This significant difference is due to the high energy consumption of aircraft engines compared to ships and trucks. Moreover, the demand for aircraft fuel is expected to double by 2050 (Source: McKinsey). It is time to rethink the business of our industry.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of global supply chains and our shared responsibility to protect our planet, we have developed sustainable aviation fuel solutions.
How does Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) help?
Since 2020, we have been procuring SAF, which is expected to be the widest-use method for decarbonization by 2050 according to IATA (Source: IATA). SAF has a direct impact compared to conventional jet fuel, with proven reductions in CO2e emission. It can be derived from a variety of sources, including waste fats, oils, greases, agricultural and forestry residues, and wastes. SAF can also be synthesized through innovative processes that capture carbon directly from the air.
Learn more on how we source SAF
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We currently source SAF made through Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), primarily derived from used cooking oil and animal fats. We guarantee that no palm oil is utilized and that the production process avoids both direct and indirect land use changes, ensuring environmental responsibility.
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Due to SAF’s chemical similarity to conventional fuel, it can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in current aircraft engines without requiring any modifications. Thus, SAF can be used as a seamless drop-in solution.
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When used, SAF can help reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by 70 ~ 95% compared to traditional fossil fuels (Source: IATA). This makes SAF a critical component in the effort to decarbonize air transportation and reduce the overall carbon footprint of logistics operations. The CO2 absorbed by the plants is roughly equivalent to the CO2e emitted when the fuel is burned, creating a closed carbon cycle.
1 WTW: Well-to-wheel (life-cycle-) emissions
2 WTT: Well-to-tank (upstream-) emissions
3 TTW: Tank-to-wheel (downstream-) emissions
Introduction of the DB SCHENKER Environmental Attributes System
Instead of physically owning or transporting SAF, we purchase SAF environmental attributes, which represent a certain amount of SAF produced and inserted in a fuel tank at an airport. These attributes ensure that the equivalent amount of SAF is burned on flights departing from those airports, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint. This system allows us to support the production and use of SAF without the logistical complexities of handling the fuel directly.
The workflow for booking the SAF service among the shipper, DB SCHENKER (LSP, Logistics Service Provider), the carrier, the fuel producers, and the airport.
The choice is yours: Carbon X or BUY & SELL
We have made an upfront investment in biofuel for you. To simplify the use of SAF, two operating models will be available: Carbon X and BUY & SELL. The billing method to the customer can be further differentiated within each operating model, allowing you to choose your preferred volumes and trade lanes*. Once the environmental attributes have been issued by an airline, we own the emission reductions and are free to allocate them to the customers who pay for SAF premium.
*Depending on the volume of requests, it may be necessary to procure SAF from the market.
Carbon X (X% CO2e reduction)
Each shipment achieves a percentage of CO2e reduction that you determine, documented in a carbon report.
Joint provision of certificates and supervision of the certification process from fuel supplier to carrier.
BUY & SELL (fuel amount purchase and equivalent CO2e saving)
Not limited to individual shipments and we will tailor the solution to your needs.
Joint provision of certificates and supervision of the certification process from fuel supplier to carrier.
See who has already worked with us!
Our flexibility allows us to work together with airlines and customers to find the best solutions and contribute to a better environment.