DHL and IAG Slash 640,000 Tons of Aviation Emissions

One of the world's biggest shipping companies just made a massive commitment to cleaner skies, proving that sustainable aviation doesn't have to wait for new technology.

DHL and IAG Cargo announced a five-year partnership that will reduce aviation emissions by 640,000 tons of CO2 by 2030. The deal secures 240 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for DHL Express cargo transported on British Airways flights out of London Heathrow Airport.

The sustainable fuel comes from sources like used cooking oil and achieves a 90% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional jet fuel. That's the same environmental impact as taking roughly 140,000 cars off the road for five years.

This isn't just a trial run or publicity stunt. The agreement covers nearly all fuel currently used for transporting DHL Express cargo within IAG Cargo's network, making it one of the most comprehensive SAF partnerships in commercial aviation.

The collaboration goes even deeper with a framework agreement between DHL Global Forwarding and IAG Cargo. This cross-divisional approach could push total emissions reductions across the DHL Group to over 1 million tons, creating a model for how large companies can work together on climate solutions.

"This agreement shows what is possible when two committed SAF users in the industry pool their efforts," said Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations & Aviation at DHL Express. The partnership demonstrates that major corporations can make substantial environmental progress while maintaining their operations.

The Ripple Effect

This deal creates momentum far beyond two companies trying to reduce their carbon footprint. By committing to such large volumes of sustainable fuel, DHL and IAG Cargo are helping build the market infrastructure needed to make SAF more accessible and affordable for the entire aviation industry.

The partnership supports DHL's goal of increasing sustainable aviation fuel use to 30% by 2030, a target that seemed ambitious just a few years ago. Long-term agreements like this one give SAF producers the confidence to invest in scaling up production, which eventually brings costs down for everyone.

Customers are increasingly seeking credible ways to reduce their shipping emissions, and this partnership gives them a real solution. Companies can now choose logistics options with significantly lower environmental impact without waiting for electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft.

When industry giants prove that sustainable aviation fuel works at scale, it paves the way for smaller companies to follow suit and for regulators to set more ambitious climate targets.

The collaboration arrives as the EU's ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation pushes airlines to gradually increase SAF usage, showing how corporate action and policy support can work together to accelerate change.