Delta Air Lines and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) have entered into a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreement that will address carbon emissions from the company’s business travel with Delta. Through this agreement, Takeda joins the growing roster of corporate customers entering into SAF agreements facilitated by Delta, representing the shared commitment between both companies to reduce emissions. These partnerships drive investment in the SAF market, building industry demand and broadening the market with the goal of decreasing the aviation industry’s reliance on conventional jet fuel.
“In 2020, Takeda achieved carbon neutrality across our value chain, including aviation, representing a significant milestone in our sustainability journey,” said Michelle De Costa, Head of Global Meetings & Travel Center of Excellence at Takeda. “As we build on this achievement in 2021 and beyond, partnering with Delta, who shares in our commitment to the environment, helps us continue to achieve our goals while investing in a more sustainable future.”
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 to make its operations more sustainable. The collaboration with Takeda continues to underscore the significant positive environmental impact that can be achieved through sustainable collaboration.
“Being an airline committed to decarbonizing aviation means working in partnership with our customers to help address their emissions,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Managing Director of Sustainability. “As we look to a future where air travel and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive, working and investing with our partners is a vital step in getting us there. We are grateful for partners like Takeda who are reaching out to find solutions.”
SAF is a critically 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. Through Delta’s separate SAF supply agreement with Neste, Delta is able to facilitate its SAF agreement with Takeda and offer sustainable air travel solutions to other corporate customers.
Neste has been at the forefront of SAF production for nearly a decade and is the world’s leading producer SAF. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue materials. It is a drop-in fuel that offers an immediate way to directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion, requiring no new investments, modifications or changes to the aircraft or fuel distribution procedures.
