The airlines and airline groups joining the IATA efforts as data contributors to CO2 Connect include Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, LATAM Airlines Group, Luxair, and Nile Air.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is making significant strides in its efforts to improve the accuracy and transparency of carbon emissions calculations in the aviation industry. During the first World Sustainability Symposium held in Madrid, Spain, IATA signed agreements with several airlines and airline groups to expand its CO2 Connect emissions calculator. The airlines and airline groups joining as data contributors to CO2 Connect include Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, LATAM Airlines Group, Luxair, and Nile Air. This move is part of IATA’s ongoing initiative to enhance the quality and reliability of emissions data, which is crucial for carbon offsetting, environmental reporting, and sustainability efforts within the aviation sector.
CO2 Connect, launched by IATA in June 2022, stands out from other emissions calculators due to its unique approach. Instead of relying on theoretical models and assumptions, CO2 Connect utilizes actual airline data, such as fuel burn, belly cargo, and load factors. This approach ensures that emissions calculations are based on real-world operational data, making them more accurate and reliable.
“Accessing the most accurate operational data is key to achieving global consistency and alignment in CO2 emissions calculations. Expanding this data pool is essential in providing greater transparency and coherence to passengers and stakeholders alike. This allows for more informed CO2 compensation choices while supporting ESG reporting. In continuously expanding our data sources, we will further enhance IATA CO2 Connect’s calculation quality, far beyond what any theory-based or model-based tools can achieve”, said Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, IATA.
The emissions calculator follows the Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology (RP 1726), which was adopted by IATA’s Passenger Service Conference in March 2022. This methodology has been developed in collaboration with leading partners from 20 airlines, major aircraft manufacturers, international standard-setting bodies, and logistics services providers. It covers various critical factors, including fuel measurement, non-CO2 emissions, passenger and cargo weight, emissions factors, cabin class weighting, carbon offsets, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) considerations.
One of the key advantages of CO2 Connect is its ability to provide per-passenger CO2 emissions calculations. This allows airlines and passengers to understand the environmental impact of their flights more accurately. The calculator considers a range of factors that influence emissions, making it a valuable tool for airlines and passengers alike.
By expanding its data sources through agreements with additional airlines and airline groups, IATA aims to enhance the calculation quality of CO2 Connect even further. The goal is to provide greater transparency and coherence in emissions calculations, enabling passengers and stakeholders to make more informed choices when it comes to carbon offsetting and sustainability reporting.
IATA believes that using actual operational data from airlines is the most effective way to achieve global consistency and alignment in CO2 emissions calculations. This approach minimizes the need for assumptions and ensures that emissions data is based on real-world aviation practices.
CO2 Connect currently receives operational data from around 150 airlines, allowing for more accurate calculations. It covers a wide range of factors, including fuel burn data for 74 aircraft types, representing approximately 98% of the active global passenger fleet. Additionally, it considers traffic data from 881 aircraft operators, representing around 93% of global air travel. This comprehensive data pool makes CO2 Connect a valuable tool for the aviation industry.
IATA’s commitment to improving emissions calculation tools aligns with the aviation industry’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and address environmental challenges. Accurate emissions data is essential for monitoring progress toward sustainability goals and making informed decisions regarding emissions reduction strategies.
As part of its ongoing efforts, IATA is also developing new features for CO2 Connect. One of these features is a white-label microsite solution tailored for airlines. This solution will allow airlines to offer their customers environmentally-conscious options for minimizing their carbon footprint through compensation features.
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In summary, IATA’s agreements with additional airlines and airline groups to expand CO2 Connect demonstrate the aviation industry’s commitment to transparency and accuracy in emissions calculations. By using real operational data, CO2 Connect provides a more reliable tool for airlines, passengers, and stakeholders to track and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future for aviation.
