After five years of a strategic partnership between transportation and logistics company DB Schenker and air freight specialist Lufthansa Cargo, both companies have already saved 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Another 10,000 tonnes should follow by 2020.

This intention has been endorsed by the Carbon Reduction Agreement entered into by the partners last year.

“As a logistics service provider, we bear a particular responsibility when it comes to planning and implementing our emissions-intensive transports,” said Andrea Dorothea Schön, who is responsible for climate protection and CO2 controlling at DB Schenker. “Some 40 percent of all direct and indirect CO2 emissions at DB Schenker result from air cargo. Therefore, it was and is important to us that we engage in environmental protection together with Lufthansa Cargo and achieve our climate protection goals.”

According to Bettina Jansen, Lufthansa Cargo’s head of environmental management, Lufthansa Cargo’s mixed freighter fleet needs only half a gallon of fuel on average to transport 220 pounds a distance of 62 miles.

“We are putting in an enormous effort to continuously reduce our fleet’s fuel consumption,” she said. “Our five new Boeing 777Fs are the most efficient freighters in their class. In addition, we are using particularly lightweight containers, polishing even our engine blades for maximum efficiency and driving the digitization of air cargo documents together with our partners. We are a forerunner in many areas and innovations will facilitate even further reductions in weight and consumption.”

Leading air freight companies like Lufthansa Cargo are playing a pivotal role in improved environmental performance, according to Schön. “Transparent emissions reporting is one key aspect,” she added. “A sustainable, long-term business relationship is based on mutual trust and working in a spirit of partnership to achieve quality and environmental goals. The agreements are milestones as they allow us to incorporate sustainability aspects into business relationships.”