Emirates becomes first airline to join sustainable food production coalition 

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has joined the Move to -15°C global coalition, becoming the first airline to do so. By joining the movement, Emirates will lend its knowledge and experience in handling and shipping of fresh produce to the practical application of this potentially industry-changing initiative.  

First launched at COP28 hosted in the UAE, the Move to -15°C coalition aims to redefine frozen food temperature standards and reduce energy consumption in the frozen food supply chain. The working hypothesis suggests that a 3°C change in temperature could make a significant environmental impact with no compromise on food quality and safety.  

The Move to -15°C coalition was established in 2023, following the launch of the Three Degrees of Change report, an academic paper supported by global logistics firm, DP World, and delivered by experts from the Paris-based International Institute of Refrigeration, the University of Birmingham, and London South Bank University, among others.  

By bringing together cross-industry partners, the coalition aims to explore the real-world implementation of this research through data sharing, suggested operational revisions, collaborating with members and stakeholders, as well as engaging with policymakers and regulators to educate and advocate. As the first airline to join the global coalition, Emirates intends to use expertise within its Emirates SkyCargo division to “help reimagine the future of the frozen foods supply chain”.  

EmiratesPerishables represent Emirates SkyCargo’s largest business unit by tonnage, with 900 to 1,000 tons of fresh food traveling around the world on Emirates flights each day. While frozen foods may represent only a small percentage of total goods carried, the airline has developed “a unique cool chain infrastructure, has employed proprietary innovations, and established strong working relationships across the supply chain that would provide key insight when reimagining the frozen food supply chain,” says the carrier.   

“We have long been leaders in the movement of perishable food, connecting the global agricultural community with their customers across the globe and delivering freshness you can taste,” said Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Emirates SkyCargo. “The Move to -15°C coalition is a future-looking concept, bringing together like-minded partners to evolve the industry in line with current advancements in technology, equipment, facilities, packaging, and more. We are excited to offer our insight and expertise to help shape the next phase of food logistics while driving meaningful environmental impact.”  

Thomas Eskesen, Chairman of the Move to -15°C Coalition, added: “We are excited to welcome Emirates to our Coalition. The airline industry plays a vital role in the global cold chain, and having a leading airline like Emirates on board represents a key step forward for us.”  

”Ambitious climate action across the complex frozen food supply chain – which includes food production, ports, shipping, road, rail and air freight, cold storage, and retail, can only happen through cross-sector collaboration. By joining the Coalition, Emirates is demonstrating that change is possible through industries joining forces,” Eskesen said. 

awg mohamad syahril / ShutterstockSustainability objectives 

In a statement issued by the airline, Emirates said it is “focused on sustainable and environmental initiatives that drive impact, both in its own operations and across the industry. Recognizing that no one entity can achieve far-reaching results alone, a key part of the airline’s strategy is to find solutions to the biggest challenges in partnership with the wider industry.”  

In addition to the Move to -15°C coalition, Emirates is also an industrial partner of Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) which received the first disbursement from the airline’s $200 million Sustainability Fund, dedicated to research and development projects focussed on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.  

Additionally, pursuant to its sustainability objectives, Emirates is also a partner in The Solent Cluster based in the UK, a cross-sector collaboration aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and producing low-carbon fuels. 

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