Vietnam Airlines becomes the first Vietnamese carrier to join IATA CO2 Connect

Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier of Vietnam, has officially joined the CO2 Connect project, developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to measure CO2 emissions. 

Vietnam Airlines signed a cooperation agreement to participate in CO2 Connect during the IATA AGM in Dubai, making it the first Vietnamese airline to join this project. Under the agreement, Vietnam Airlines will contribute operational data to IATA’s CO2 Connect emissions calculator to calculate CO2 emissions per passenger for each route and aircraft type.

Reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainable development are top priorities for the global aviation industry. However, the measurement and reporting of CO2 emissions have been inconsistent due to the various methodologies used by different airlines.

To address this, IATA developed the CO2 Connect project to create a common platform for airlines to provide consistent calculation of CO2 emissions, and assist airlines and passengers in making environmentally informed choices. The project uses the standard industry RP-1726 methodology, known for its accuracy and compatibility with most industry standards.

Several other major airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Qatar Airways, have also joined the project.

By participating in CO2 Connect, Vietnam Airlines underscores its commitment to sustainable development, contributing to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged by Vietnam at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

On 27 May, Vietnam Airlines also became the first airline in Vietnam to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for a commercial flight. The airline plans to collaborate with Con Dao to implement the “sustainable flight route” project, including environmental protection activities and reducing plastic waste to preserve landscapes and habitats.