Logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel is aiming to reduce its Scope 3 carbon footprint by part-funding the cargo division of International Airlines Group’s (IAG) purchase of six million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2023.

The SAF, which will be backed by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and produced from used cooking oil and food waste, will have at least 80 per cent lower lifecycle emissions than conventional jet fuel and will reduce over 15,000 tonnes of CO2 on a lifecycle basis.

IAG was the first European airline group to make a commitment that 10 per cent of its fuel needs would be fulfilled by SAF by 2030, and this purchase supports IAG’s acceleration towards this goal.

IAG has committed $865 million in future SAF investments and purchases to date, with agreements in place with several suppliers in Spain, the UK, and the US.

David Shepherd, chief executive at IAG Cargo said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Kuehne+Nagel once again to address Scope 3 CO2 emissions for their supply chain.

“We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and contributing to the wider sustainability goals of the aviation industry. This purchase is a key step in achieving these objectives and is a great example of how IAG can help its customers decarbonise.”

Yngve Ruud, member of the management board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for air logistics, said: “To achieve genuine decarbonisation in our industry, SAF is currently the most effective solution, and we are dedicated to increasing its supply as part of our ambitious climate targets.

“Working closely with our suppliers and promoting the deployment of these fuels with reliable partners such as IAG Cargo is crucial to accomplishing our goals and enabling our like-minded customers to transport their products in a more sustainable manner.”

IAG Cargo first partnered with Kuehne+Nagel first worked together in 2021 to power a charter chain of 16 flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta. This latest deal builds on the long-standing partnership between Kuehne+Nagel and IAG Cargo.

Watch the video below to find out more about the partnership between IAG Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel, and how SAF is produced from used cooking oils.