New 2030 carbon intensity target

Cathay set a new target to improve its carbon intensity by 12% from the 2019 level by 2030. This move reinforces Cathay's aspiration to be at the forefront of sustainability leadership and will support its overarching goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The new near-term target aims to improve carbon intensity by reducing the carbon emissions from Cathay’s jet fuel use per revenue tonne kilometre (RTK) from 761 gCO2/RTK to 670 gCO2/RTK. To achieve these improvements, more than 70 new passenger and freighter aircraft, which can be up to 25% more fuel efficient compared with the previous generation, will be joining Cathay’s fleet over the coming years.

Accelerating the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) remains the most important lever for achieving the new target and net-zero operations in the long run. Taking one step further to scale up SAF usage on all fronts, Cathay will use SAF to offset 10% of the carbon emissions from employee duty travel on Cathay Pacific flights from 2024 onwards.

Since 2007, Cathay has been offsetting all emissions from employee duty travel on flights with the airline using carbon credits through its voluntary carbon offset programme, Fly Greener. This new endeavour is in line with its pioneering position in accelerating the development and deployment of SAF in the region and, more importantly, contributing to its 10% SAF usage by 2030 goal.