Delta and Deloitte are one step closer to sustainable business travel, thanks to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement covering a portion of Deloitte’s business travel.
Deloitte is one of Delta’s first corporate customers to purchase SAF facilitated by Delta. It is part of the airline’s longstanding commitment to work with customers to reach collective goals for the greater good of our planet.
“Delta’s continued focus on sustainability, especially during a pandemic that has severely impacted its business, speaks volumes,” said Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte’s U.S. CEO. “By collaborating with Delta to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel, Deloitte is proud to positively impact our carbon footprint while investing in a more sustainable future.”
By using SAF, the agreement represents a lifecycle emissions reduction of approximately 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to carbon sequestered by 1,306 acres of U.S. forests or 756 football fields in one year.
“We must work together toward a more sustainable, healthy future. This collaboration with Deloitte is one example of how companies can work together to meet goals we are equally passionate about,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Sustainability is core to who we are, and it is important to our corporate customers for whom air travel is a significant part of their carbon footprint.”
In the year since Delta announced its $1 billion commitment to carbon neutrality from March 2020 onward, the company remains focused on carbon reduction and removal and stakeholder engagement in an effort to ensure its operations are more sustainable. The collaboration with Deloitte represents one of the first of what the airline hopes will be many significant achievements for both areas.
To power its SAF agreement with Deloitte, Delta entered into a separate SAF supply agreement with Neste, a leading producer of low emission, renewable fuel for aircraft. Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue materials, and it is a drop-in fuel that offers an immediate way to directly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. Once taking delivery of the SAF, Delta will be able to offer sustainable air travel solutions to Deloitte and other corporate customers.
SAF is an important lever to reduce the lifecycle carbon emissions from aviation fuel, up to 80 percent when used in pure form compared to fossil jet fuel, and has great potential to scale. Collaborations like this, between Delta and Deloitte, further support SAF development and represent the growing demand for innovations in clean fuel technologies.
“This is just the beginning. We are grateful for Deloitte and our corporate customers and partners joining us on this important journey,” said Bastian. “Together, we will make a difference for generations to come”.
