Air Freight Operators Soar Toward Climate Change
Market distortions originating in COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions and supply chain disruptions accelerated shipping to the air freight cargo sector, boosting air freight emissions. Rather than returning to pre-pandemic levels, air freight has plateaued and, in some cases, is still growing. While FedEx, UPS, and Amazon celebrate a new norm in the shipping industry, their success comes at a dire cost.
Stand Research Group’s investigation revealed the scope of air freight cargo’s growth. The research supports the need for immediate solutions to correct distortions in the shipping and logistics sector.
Key Findings
- As of this report, the United States is responsible for more than 40% of greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions from air freighter emissions globally.
- Air freight operators have increased their GHG emissions by 25% compared to 2019, including almost 20 million tons CO2 or over 22 million tons CO2e.
- FedEx, UPS, and Amazon Air generated more than 27% of the sector’s annual carbon emissions for global dedicated freighter flights, presenting material obstacles to climate progress.
Recommendations for Air Freight Industry
To address the many problems created by the persistent COVID-era surge in air freight, market shapers FedEx, UPS, and Amazon need to act. As a first step, e-commerce companies like Amazon should disclose the carbon cost of air freight shipments to inform customer decisions about delivery options and provide a clearer picture to investors of future risks to business operations. Shipping and logistics companies must promote real solutions to air freight pollution by transitioning non-perishable goods to shipping methods with lower carbon intensity and reducing total carbon emissions in ground transportation.
