Manila, Philippines – In time for World Environment Day, Delta is launching Flight to Net Zero – a reflection of the airline’s commitment to carbon neutrality. The airline is also acting on that commitment, signing a fifth sustainable aviation fuel agreement with partner CWT. Both reflect Delta’s commitment to making significant, long-term investments to mitigate all carbon dioxide emissions from its airline operation.

“Flight to Net Zero introduces travelers to our commitment to carbon neutrality,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Managing Director of Sustainability. “We are actively pursuing a new path forward for aviation, so our customers do not have to choose between seeing the world and saving it.”

Sustainable Tourism in the Philippines

While some popular tourist spots reported lesser waste due to restricted movement of residents and tourists caused by the lockdown, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is actively pushing for sustainable tourism for when the country fully opens its boarders to welcome foreign and domestic visitors, urging various sectors of the industry including hotels and resorts to become DOT-accredited to receive assistance in its rapid adoption of sustainable practices.

Delta’s Proactive Movement to Sustainability: Flight to Net Zero

The aviation industry accounts for roughly 2 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Delta’s carbon footprint is its largest environmental impact, with 98 percent of emissions coming from its aircraft. To address this, Delta’s Flight to Net Zero encompasses its climate leadership through its carbon neutrality goal. It also represents the new initiatives, products and standards that will advance clean air travel and accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions.

Beyond Flight to Net Zero, which addresses carbon emissions, the company has an ambitious vision of zero-impact aviation – where air travel does not damage the environment directly or indirectly via greenhouse gas emissions, noise, waste or other impacts.  

CWT Partnership

Change cannot be made alone. To that end, Delta continues to expand its sustainable aviation fuel agreements with solid business partners. The latest CWT agreement purchases enough sustainable aviation fuel to cover the projected fuel usage from all of their clients starting June 5, World Environment Day.

“Actions speak louder than words, and we are delighted to further cement both our wide-reaching partnership with Delta and our commitment to responsible business in such an innovative and public initiative,” said Patrick Andersen, CWT’s Chief Commercial Officer.

As a U.N. Global Compact signatory since 2012, CWT is committed to the highest standard of responsible business practices, including a firm focus on environmental stewardship, which is a core part of their strategy, culture and day-to-day activities.

“Strong sustainability partnerships, like our latest one with CWT, drive the industry forward to a more environmentally sound future,” said Steve Sear, Delta’s Executive Vice President of Global Sales. “These partnerships underscore a conceptual alignment within the travel industry to proactively find solutions for the carbon footprint created by travel.”

With these agreements, Delta makes progress in its three areas of focus to drive toward a net-zero carbon future:

  • Carbon reductions and removals
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Coalition building

Partnerships, like the one with CWT, bring much-needed investment to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market by building industry demand and supply with the goal of decreasing the aviation industry’s reliance on conventional jet fuel. By creating the supply, Delta’s goal of using 10 percent sustainable aviation fuel by the end of 2030 comes closer to reality.

The recent launch of Delta’s inaugural ESG report highlights its intention to be a catalyst for global change and its role in growing empathy, respect and care for the planet and the people within it. Delta has a longstanding commitment to sustainable air travel. It is the first and only U.S. airline to cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2012 levels voluntarily. In 2020, it committed to be the first carbon-neutral airline globally. Delta was the No. 1 airline named among America’s Most Sustainable Companies by Barron’s in 2020. 

It was the only U.S. airline included in the 2021 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. It has received the Vision for America Award by Keep America Beautiful and Captain Planet Foundation’s Superhero Corporate Award.

Delta has also earned a spot on the FTSE4Good Index for six consecutive years and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for ten straight years.  

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