Air Freight CO2 Emissions Increase 25% Since 2019

Air freight greenhouse gas emissions have surged by 25% compared to 2019, driven by a booming demand in e-commerce and shifts in the post-pandemic economy, according to a recent analysis by campaign group Stand.earth.

In 2023, air freight operators operated approximately 300,000 more flights than in 2019, marking a nearly 30% increase in flight volume. The United States alone accounted for over 40% of global air freight emissions, highlighting a significant contribution to the environmental impact.

Dr. Devyani Singh, a researcher involved in the analysis, described this expansion as a concerning development for both climate and human health. She urged air freight companies to reduce their reliance on air cargo and transition to lower-carbon transportation modes such as marine shipping or rail.

Air freight is notably carbon-intensive, producing about 80 times more carbon emissions compared to shipping by sea or truck. This makes it one of the most environmentally impactful methods of transportation.

The researchers attribute the sharp rise in emissions to the changing dynamics of the post-pandemic economy. Increased consumer expectations for speedy delivery in e-commerce, driven by services like Amazon’s Prime membership with over 200 million global subscribers, have led to a surge in air freight usage. Before the pandemic, air freight was primarily used for perishable goods and time-sensitive deliveries, but disruptions in supply chains during the pandemic expanded its role to include non-perishable and lower-value items.

Another factor contributing to increased emissions is the shift from using passenger planes for cargo transport to dedicated cargo-only flights. While belly cargo emissions from passenger flights have partly recovered post-pandemic, the expansion of dedicated cargo fleets has sustained the elevated emission levels.

By 2023, global air freight emissions totaled 93.8 million tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase from 2019 levels. FedEx and UPS alone accounted for 24.7% of these emissions. The industry remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with only a fraction of aviation fuel derived from low-carbon sources.

Looking ahead, the growth trajectory of the air freight sector appears robust, with forecasts indicating a potential surge in global parcel volumes to 800 billion per year by 2030, up from 315 billion in 2022. Amazon, a major player in the sector, reported a 13% revenue increase from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, underscoring the sector’s rapid expansion and its associated environmental challenges.

In conclusion, while air freight plays a crucial role in meeting modern consumer demands, its environmental footprint poses significant challenges. Efforts to curb emissions and promote sustainable practices in the industry are critical to mitigate its adverse impact on climate change and human health.

Re-reported from the article originally published in THE GUARDIAN.