Kuehne+Nagel, Google Cloud partner on SAF for air cargo in 2026
The agreement covers up to 5.2 million litres of SAF and is expected to cut up to 12,600 tonnes of CO₂e emissions from infrastructure shipments.
Kuehne+Nagel has partnered with Google to support the reduction of air freight emissions for Google Cloud’s shipments through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2026, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to sustainable logistics.
The agreement covers the purchase of up to 5.2 million litres of SAF for a key set of Google Cloud’s infrastructure shipments. The initiative is expected to reduce up to 12,600 tonnes of CO₂e emissions and will serve as a pilot for future collaboration between the two companies.
SAF is produced from renewable resources considered waste, residues or by-products, including used cooking oil and tallow. Compared with fossil-based jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from air transportation by around 80%, making it an important tool for the aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
Kuehne+Nagel’s SAF certification programme enables customers to lower their Scope 3 emissions through the use of certified sustainable aviation fuel. The programme is designed to meet strict sustainability requirements while simplifying participation for customers worldwide and helping to increase global demand for SAF.
The companies said the agreement reflects their shared commitment to investing in sustainability, increasing the use of SAF and supporting the transition to lower-emission air freight operations.
“This agreement builds on Google Cloud's ongoing work to reduce emissions across our logistics value chain and supports our broader sustainability goals. By collaborating with Kuehne+Nagel, we can help advance the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and support the transition toward lower-emission air freight operations,” said Brian Stewart, Senior Director, Logistics, Google Cloud.
Fabiano Piccinno, Global Head of Sustainability Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, said: “As leaders in our respective industries, it is important to set a precedent by jointly driving sustainability. It demonstrates the importance of sustainability as a core business priority and as a foundation for strong partnerships. We are proud that Google Cloud has selected Kuehne+Nagel to support the decarbonisation of its supply chains and to jointly advance practical, scalable sustainability initiatives.”
