Cathay releases new sustainability report

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Group recently announced the release of its 2022 Sustainable Development Report, which the carrier said “underscores the group’s ongoing commitments and progress in achieving its sustainability goals. Titled “Greener Together,” the report reflects Cathay Pacific’s belief that driving progress towards a sustainable future requires strong partnerships and collective action. Cathay Pacific Group CEO Ronald Lam. (PHOTO: Cathay Pacific) Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam stated: “As we enter an exciting new phase of rebuilding Cathay Pacific for Hong Kong, one of our key development areas is becoming a leader in sustainability. This means working together with many different stakeholders, partners and corporate customers to reconnect Hong Kong to the world in sustainable ways. The title of this year’s report, ‘Greener Together’, reflects our determination to foster stronger partnerships to help drive the sustainable development agenda and build a more sustainable future for our customers, our people and our communities. Despite the very difficult start we had to the year, 2022 saw a number of important milestones achieved in our sustainability journey. These involved yet more important steps towards developing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply chain, reducing single-use plastics in our operations and continuing to advance the agenda of wellness and diversity for our people. Moving people forward is our business and as we look ahead to the future, we are excited to continue contributing to important projects and being a positive driving force towards making aviation more sustainable.” Key highlights from the 2022 report include: Driving progress towards decarbonisation: As part of efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and using SAF for 10 percent of total fuel consumption by 2030, Cathay launched Asia’s first major Corporate SAF Programme. Garnering support from eight launch customers, the programme sends a strong signal to the SAF supply chain that there is firm interest in the region. Extending carbon-offset programme: First launched in 2007, Cathay Pacific’s long-standing voluntary carbon-offset programme, Fly Greener, has now been extended to its cargo operations. This provides customers with a more sustainable cargo solution. Surpassing target to cut single-use plastics: The airline said it has reached a 56 percent reduction of single-use plastics use on a per passenger level compared to the 2018 baseline and are now in the process of launching a new target. Driving Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) across our operations: The airline said it  set a new and more ambitious goal to not have more than 65 percent of the same gender at senior positions by 2025, and as of April 2023 the airline said it will have a 50/50 gender split on its Executive Committee. The airline became the first commercial airline to be listed on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index. Promoting and enabling wellness: COVID-19 has been especially impactful to people’s wellbeing. The airline introduced a week-long Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival filled with various activities and workshops to promote wellness and support for employees. The Cathay report is available here. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]