IATA and GFE join forces

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Green Freight Europe (GFE) have agreed to work closely together to stimulate long-term improvements in the green procurement of transportation services.

IATA, as the trade association for some 240 airlines, has recently formed a working group in charge of defining the methodology to calculate the airfreight carbon footprint. GFE is a member-driven program aiming to realize a European-wide standard for calculating, monitoring and improving the environmental performance of road transportation.

Customers

"The carbon footprint of goods transportation is attracting increasing consumers' and regulators' interest. In addition to the cost, speed and reliability dimension, the environmental performance of transportation providers, including air cargo, is entering into the equation. Having a common calculation method will be key for airlines' customers. This is also a great opportunity for our member airlines to demonstrate how proactive they are to improving fuel efficiency year on year," said Des Vertannes, IATA's Global Head of Cargo.

Multimodal

The move is the latest example of IATA seeking cooperative partnerships with relevant organizations in the cargo supply chain. As part of its commitment to green procurement, IATA will join the Multimodal Working Group of GFE. "Green Freight Europe will search for collaboration where possible or beneficial for GFE-members", Peter van der Sterre, Secretary General of GFE stated. "In this perspective a Multimodal Working Group has been established. GFE's focus is road freight, but to meet the expectations of the GFE Members to have one "single window" for all modalities there is a need for collaboration with initiatives and programs on other modalities."

Commitment

"Ultimately, this cooperation serves the interests of transportation providers and more importantly their customers,  and is part of the aviation industry's commitment to carbon reduction, including the goals of carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and a reduction in net carbon emissions of 50% by 2050," said Vertannes.