The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Delta Air Lines will use and contribute operational data to the IATA CO2 Connect emissions calculator for both passenger and cargo flights, with the agreement signed at the World Sustainability Symposium in Miami.
Delta will provide fuel-burn data from its 4,000 daily flights, enhancing transparency about the environmental impact of flying for all customers, including individual travellers, corporate clients, and cargo shippers.
The inclusion of Delta’s extensive data will strengthen IATA CO2 Connect, which differentiates itself by using operational data instead of modelled averages, resulting in more reliable calculations for CO2 emissions measurement and reporting.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist. shared “With Delta’s participation, IATA CO2 Connect will become an even stronger tool helping aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA CO2 Connect’s methodology sets it apart because it uses operational data, not modeled averages. The vast amount of data from Delta’s worldwide operations is the raw material that will make IATA CO2 Connect’s calculation the most reliable for the measurement and reporting of CO2 emissions. That’s important for individual airlines, travellers, corporates, and shippers. They will all need consistent and accurate calculations on which to make informed decisions on managing the carbon footprints.”
Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer of Delta Air Lines shared “IATA CO2 Connect has the potential to help airlines, like Delta, more effectively measure and advocate for decarbonization efforts that are critical on our journey to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We believe at Delta that what gets measured gets done, and this is a great opportunity for the industry to align on reliable and consistent emissions data.”
