KLM wins award for “Strategic investment of the year” in sustainability

Air France-KLM’s $4.7 million investment in DG Fuels’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) facility was recently awarded the “Strategic Investment of the Year” award at the SAF Investor Awards. To improve ESG performance throughout the value chain, KLM is now launching the “Sustainable Airlines Initiative” together with our partners.

– It feels good that our ambition and willingness to drive real change that leads the aviation industry towards a more sustainable future is recognized in this great way, says Maria Hagelberg, responsible for sustainability issues at KLM in Northern Europe.

Through the investment, KLM has secured an option to purchase a further 75,000 tonnes of SAF from 2029 onwards, which ensures future fuel supply while increasing production volumes. KLM has ambitious goals and plans to use 10% SAF by 2030, while continuing to invest in new modern aircraft that reduce CO₂ emissions by 15%.

The entire aviation industry is facing an exciting and necessary transformation. Around 2035, so-called zero-emission aircraft with a capacity of around 75 seats will begin to enter the market, powered by, for example, electricity and hydrogen. Because they will primarily cover short and medium distances, SAF will continue to play an important and decisive role in the entire transition.

In addition to modernizing the aircraft fleet and increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel, KLM is also working to engage the entire supply chain.

– Flights are still the only option in many cases, while we are facing a climate crisis. That is why the transition is urgent, Hagelberg asserts.

She is aware that the aviation industry must increase its pace to meet the challenge, not only when it comes to sustainable jet fuel, but also when it comes to sustainable and ethical business methods throughout the value chain.

– Therefore, together with our partners Air France, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, we have started a collaboration with the international certification organization EcoVadis. The collaboration goes under the name SAI – Sustainable Airlines Initiative, which is a tool where suppliers are certified for all four airlines at the same time, says Hagelberg.

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