Swiss WorldCargo offers customers carbon removal with Climeworks
Direct air capture an important method of removing CO2 directly from atmosphere & storing it permanently underground
The airfreight division of Swiss announced the launch of Aviation Tech Pioneer that combines 20 percent CO2 removal through an innovative technology of direct air capture (DAC) and 80 percent reduction through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The new option, added to the existing ones present in the cargo carrier’s portfolio under the Green Choice add-on service, has been established in collaboration with Swiss-based Climeworks and is aimed to support scaling direct air capture technologies, says an official release. from Swiss WorldCargo.
"Sustainability is a core aspect of both SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo’s strategies, and partnerships in this area play an essential role in getting the company closer to its target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Swiss WorldCargo recognises the importance of accelerating key technologies and innovation to create a more sustainable future for the air cargo industry and takes action to ensure that significant partnerships are established to drive sustainability initiatives forward."
The initiative builds on the carbon removal agreement to remove residual CO2 emissions signed by SWISS and Lufthansa Group announced in March 2024, the release added.
With its DAC technology, Climeworks is a global leader within the carbon removal field. DAC is a vitally important method of removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere and storing it permanently underground. "The airline sector will need to take advantage of both DAC and further negative-emission technologies if it is to achieve its ambitious carbon emission mitigation goals. Climeworks already operates the world’s two biggest DAC and storage facilities, which are located in Iceland, and has extensive growth plans."
Laurent Müller, Director, Strategic Partnerships Management, Climeworks says: “We’re excited to realise this first-of-a-kind pilot with Swiss WorldCargo. It serves as an inspiring example for how the aviation industry can accelerate the much-needed scale up of carbon removal within their own industry and beyond."
Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines adds: "At Swiss WorldCargo, we’re very glad to be bringing our division one step closer to its environmental goals by establishing this important collaboration. Thanks to Climeworks’ innovative technology, we’re able to offer our customers a premium solution to mitigate the impact of their operations on the environment."
The new offering follows other on-going initiatives at Swiss WorldCargo such as investments in SAF, lightweight containers and modern aircraft, the release added.
