Deloitte has entered into an agreement with Delta for the airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuels on the global consultancy’s behalf to cover a portion of its business travel, becoming one of the first corporates to do so. The deal is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 metric tonnes.
Under the agreement, Delta has entered into an SAF supply agreement with Neste, a producer of low emission, renewable fuel for aircraft. Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue materials. Delta will also offer SAFs to other corporate customers.
Deloitte is aiming to be net zero by 2030. In
2019, the company set a target for an 11 per cent reduction in
business travel by financial 2025.
In its 2020 Global Impact Report, Deloitte said, "In the latter
half of FY2020, the Covid-19 pandemic
resulted in the cessation of business
travel for Deloitte professionals and for
many Deloitte clients. This unexpected
forced grounding has opened up new
examinations of how Deloitte does
business while continuing to serve clients
effectively.
"As the world emerges from the
pandemic, Deloitte is rethinking some of
the traditional ways in which it operates,
particularly business travel. Deloitte
leaders anticipate continuing to serve
clients effectively and grow the business,
while also reducing travel below
pre-pandemic levels."
Commenting on the deal with Delta, Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte’s US CEO, said: “Delta’s continued focus on sustainability, especially during a pandemic that has severely impacted its business, speaks volumes. 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.”
“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.”
“This is just the beginning. We are grateful for Deloitte and our corporate customers and partners joining us on this important journey,” said Bastian.
Deloitte is not the first to sign a deal with an airline to use SAFs.
In October 2020, Microsoft signed an agreement with Alaska Airlines to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel on its behalf.
Under the agreement, Microsoft buys sustainable aviation fuel credits from supplier SkyNRG to offset its travel on its three busiest routes with Alaska: Seattle to each of San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles. The fuel is delivered to Alaska's airport fuelling system.
At the time, Microsoft EVP of worldwide commercial business Judson Althoff in a statement said he hoped the agreements would be a model "used by other companies as a way to reduce the environmental impact of their business travel."