TIACA‘s survey on sustainability in air cargo operations reveals a shifting landscape within the industry, as environmental concerns take center stage. Conducted in partnership with consultancy Change Horizon and gathering insights from over 280 air cargo professionals, the survey unveils a growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, albeit with disparities between organizations of different sizes.
The findings indicate that 67% of respondents perceive an increased pressure to prioritize sustainability compared to the previous year. This surge is predominantly attributed to demands from both business partners and regulatory bodies, reflecting a broader global trend towards environmental consciousness.
Customer expectations emerge as a primary driver for sustainability initiatives, with 80% of respondents citing customer demand as a key motivator, representing a two-percentage point increase from the previous year. Additionally, the survey highlights a growing internal impetus towards sustainability, with 73% of respondents acknowledging employee-driven initiatives, and 69% emphasizing the importance of satisfying business partners’ sustainability expectations.
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However, a notable discrepancy emerges between larger and smaller organizations concerning the implementation of sustainability strategies. While 92% of large companies have dedicated sustainability strategies in place, only 56% of medium-sized companies and 46% of small companies have established similar frameworks. Similarly, the survey reveals disparities in sustainability reporting practices, with 70% of large companies producing sustainability reports compared to just 21% of medium-sized companies and 17% of small companies.
Addressing this gap, TIACA’s Director General, Glyn Hughes, emphasizes the need for industry-wide support to facilitate sustainability efforts across all organizational sizes. To this end, TIACA announces plans to launch a certified carbon offsetting program tailored to smaller companies, aiming to streamline sustainability initiatives and enhance accessibility to sustainable practices.
In terms of emissions reduction strategies, the survey highlights a focus on energy consumption reduction (76%), fleet renewal (75%), and fleet utilization optimization (72%). Additionally, investments in sustainable fuel (57%), asset weight reduction (51%), and green building initiatives (49%) are identified as key areas of focus within the industry.
The survey underscores positive trends in talent development and diversity initiatives within air cargo companies. Around 79% of respondents indicate that their companies invest in training and education, with 76% aiming to improve the employee experience and 70% advancing diversity and inclusion efforts.
