Delta Air Lines has signed up as a key contributor of operational data to the CO2 Connect emissions calculator, operated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The tool is one of IATA’s methods of accurately measuring sustainability progress in the aviation industry.
Delta will contribute fuel burn data across 4,000 daily flights, covering both its passenger and cargo business.
Delta is the largest airline contributing to CO2 Connect, which already has 40 contributors.
“With Delta’s participation, IATA CO2 Connect will become an even stronger tool helping aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA CO2 Connect’s methodology sets it apart because it uses operational data, not modelled averages. The vast amount of data from Delta’s worldwide operations is the raw material that will make IATA CO2 Connect’s calculation the most reliable for the measurement and reporting of CO2 emissions. That’s important for individual airlines, travellers, corporates, and shippers. They will all need consistent and accurate calculations on which to make informed decisions on managing the carbon footprints,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
“IATA CO2 Connect has the potential to help airlines, like Delta, more effectively measure and advocate for decarbonisation efforts that are critical on our journey to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050,” shared Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer of Delta Air Lines. “We believe at Delta that what gets measured gets done, and this is a great opportunity for the industry to align on reliable and consistent emissions data.”
With CO2 Connect, Delta will be able to provide all customers, regardless of whether they are individual travellers, corporate customers, or cargo customers, with greater transparency of their impact on the environment through flying.
