As the air cargo industry moves toward a more sustainable future, the challenge lies in setting ambitious targets and taking meaningful action. From reducing emissions to promoting greener technologies, industry players must navigate complex regulations, funding constraints, and evolving customer expectations.
At the forefront of this transition is the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), which spearheads initiatives to guide businesses—large and small—toward more sustainable operations. In this exclusive C-Suite interview, Glyn Hughes, TIACA’s Director General, shares his insights on the industry’s key challenges, the role of collaboration, and the concrete steps TIACA is taking to drive long-term sustainability in air cargo.
Leadership and innovation in sustainability
For TIACA, sustainability is a broad commitment that extends beyond carbon emissions. Speaking about the TIACA BlueSky program, Hughes emphasises, “Each organisation should establish a strategy specific to their operation, encompassing environmental, waste, people, efficiency, and community aspects.” Designed to support businesses on their sustainability journey, the program assesses their current performance across key criteria. It provides a personalised dashboard with targeted insights, guiding organisations on areas for improvement.
Global collaboration for a greener future
Sustainability in air cargo requires a collective effort, and TIACA has made partnerships a core part of its strategy. “TIACA very much focuses on collaboration and partnerships,” Hughes says. The organisation shares its Insights Report, Roadmap to Industry Sustainability, and other key resources across the industry. Additionally, TIACA works closely with ESG experts and hosts the annual TIACA Sustainability Awards to highlight innovative solutions driving environmental progress.
Navigating challenges in sustainable air cargo
Achieving sustainability goals is not without obstacles. “Information overload is as challenging as lack of information,” Hughes points out, noting that regulations such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates, CORSIA, EU ETS, CSRD, and ReFuelEU, create complexities for businesses, particularly smaller ones. “Carbon Offsetting is a good example,” Hughes shares. “Some smaller organisations would like to offset their emissions, either on a shipment level or for a complete business activity.” To help make that process simple, TIACA launched an Invest in Climate Action platform, enabling companies to purchase carbon credits and invest in sustainable projects in developing regions.
Projects making an impact
TIACA is actively leading several initiatives to make sustainability more accessible. “As mentioned, we have our annual Sustainability Survey, Industry Sustainability Roadmap, BlueSky assessment program, Climate Action platform, and a newly launched Training library which provides numerous ESG and general cargo training solutions,” Hughes outlines. These programs offer industry-wide assessments and targeted tools to help companies take concrete steps toward sustainability.
The future of sustainable air cargo
Looking ahead, TIACA is aligning its efforts with global net-zero goals. “TIACA fully supports industry net-zero by 2050 targets. We also advocate for enhancing industry action in support of the United Nations 17 SDGs,” Hughes states. This includes pushing for greater investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and the global accessibility of SAF technology.
Beyond SAF, alternative energy sources will also play a crucial role. “SAF will need to grow exponentially from the less than 1% we see today to about 65% of industry fuel usage to help achieve the net-zero target by 2050,” Hughes says. He also emphasises the importance of green hydrogen, electrification for ground transport, and AI-driven efficiency improvements in making air cargo operations more sustainable.
Tracking progress and measuring success
TIACA’s sustainability surveys provide valuable insights into industry progress. “On the positive side, the industry has taken huge steps to reduce usage of single-use plastic, and has invested heavily in modern energy-efficient fleets of aircraft and ground vehicles,” Hughes shares. However, he also notes a growing gap: “We are seeing fragmentation with larger organisations having dedicated teams and strategies in place, while smaller organisations find it more of a challenge.”
Supporting smaller businesses
Bridging this gap, TIACA is helping SMEs access tailored sustainability solutions. “The BlueSky program is the best vehicle as it allows a company to receive specific personalised dashboards highlighting what they are doing well and where they need to provide more attention,” Hughes explains. By providing SMEs with structured insights and resources, TIACA ensures that sustainability is not just for major players but for businesses of all sizes.
A vision for sustainable air cargo
As the industry continues its journey toward sustainability, Hughes underscores the importance of a responsible and inclusive approach. “The role air cargo plays in supporting the global economy is crucial in enabling enhanced global prosperity for all. So, we must safeguard this industry by being responsible, good global citizens,” he says. Beyond environmental impact, sustainability must also address social factors, creating opportunities for all, “regardless of gender, religion, academic background, or physical abilities.”
The power of collective action
For Hughes, collective action is not just beneficial—it’s essential. “Sustainability is increasingly becoming a key enabler of business with partners, customers, employees, regulators, and financial institutions demanding action. We should all therefore do what we can,” he urges. He stresses that the industry’s collective efforts will not only drive meaningful change but also help demonstrate to regulators that air cargo is capable of managing its own sustainability journey, potentially reducing the need for additional regulation.
As TIACA continues to lead the charge in sustainability, its initiatives, partnerships, and strategic programs will play a critical role in shaping the air cargo industry’s greener future.
This story was first published in the January-February 2025 issue of Payload Asia.
