As the aviation industry intensifies its efforts toward sustainability, pioneering initiatives are being explored to reduce emissions and promote environmental stewardship. With the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Net Zero 2050 framework urging stakeholders to cut emissions drastically, collaboration across the industry is essential to achieving these ambitious goals.

Sustainability as a core strategy

Sustainability can’t just be a marketing ploy, it has to be a guiding principle. By minimising the environmental footprint of specific products, companies can support customers’ growth while fostering positive change in their operations.

“Caring for the people has always been at the core of our business,” Marieke Clasquin, Marketing and Communication Advisor, at VRR, expressed. “For us, it doesn’t stop with caring just for the people near to us. We want to do the right thing on a global level.”

This approach stems from a holistic view: sustainability must integrate seamlessly into business practices rather than stand apart: “We aim to facilitate growth while reducing harm, ensuring that sustainability remains the way we do business.”

Leading by example 

Taking bold steps to transition operations toward sustainability doesn’t just involve building a strong product portfolio, it starts at the company’s home base by replacing gas heating systems, installing solar panels, and sourcing green energy during low-sunlight months.

“If we are talking about environmental sustainability, it all starts with reducing our CO2e emissions to zero,” Van Riemsdijk outlined. “We are constantly looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption, plastic consumption and waste. As of this year, we are able to measure our energy consumption continuously, which will give us insight into what we need to work on.”

Driving industry standards

Four key pillars are central to creating safe, functional and environmentally conscious solutions for the airfreight industry: Developing safe and innovative air cargo solutions that minimise CO2 emissions throughout their life cycle. Caring for people by offering a safe, motivating workplace, making employees feel valued, and giving back to the community. Reaching net zero for Scopes One and Two emissions by 2030 and reducing all indirect emissions throughout the value chain in the longer term. Holding the sector to a strict set of ethical standards, promoting a culture of integrity, and communicating sustainability efforts openly and transparently. 

Beyond internal operations, it is critical for all stakeholders within the supply chain to explore how they can work to shape sustainability benchmarks for the entire industry. 

“We started a project group last year with ULD CARE to implement an industry-wide climate impact label for ULDs,” Clasquin continued.

“We found out that nobody exactly knew what a ‘sustainable’ ULD would entail; therefore, we did our research and got a group of the largest OEMs and several key industry stakeholders together and defined this ‘sustainable’ ULD together. This resulted in the launch of the ULD Climate Impact Label. A label showing you exactly how sustainable a ULD is compared to others. Making a good and sustainable choice possible.

Immediate impact 

While transformative technologies like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen-powered aircraft are still years from widespread adoption, it is equally important to focus on actions that can be taken now. 

“SAF and new types of aircraft will help the industry reduce the emissions massively. And to be honest, it will do so in a much greater way than ULDs ever can,” Clasquin stated.

“However, although these technologies are around, they are not widespread yet. And we’re not waiting around for them to arrive. We’ll do whatever is within our power to push the industry to the net zero goals now.

“For one thing, we’re continuously reducing the weight of our products while maintaining their safety and functionality, of course. But even more importantly, we started a project group last year with ULD CARE.”

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