Environmental responsibility
SWISS is well aware of its responsibilities towards the environment and to future generations, and puts a firm focus on environmental issues and considerations as part of its wide-ranging sustainability strategy.
Our CO₂ targets
Flight operations
- 50% reduction in net CO2 emissions by 2030 (compared to 2019)
- CO2-neutral aviation by 2050 (net zero CO2emissions)
Ground operations
- CO2-neutral mobility by 2030
As part of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This long-term goal follows a clearly-defined reduction path, which aims to halve net CO2 emissions by 2030 compared with 2019. In August 2022, the independent Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) validated the specific 2030 reduction target set by the Lufthansa Group.
To achieve this path, SWISS is implementing comprehensive measures to reduce emissions and is also investing in high-quality climate protection projects.
SWISS is aware that the overall climate impact of the aviation industry is not limited to the effects of CO2 emissions. Working with the Lufthansa Group, SWISS is involved in research projects which specifically study the climate impact of so-called non-CO2 emissions as well as mitigation measures. SWISS is also actively encouraging initiatives to achieve non-CO2 emission savings.
As part of this integrated approach, sustainable ground operations are a further area of focus for SWISS. By 2030, SWISS will achieve CO2-neutral ground mobility and has also been using 100% green electricity for ground operations since 2019.
Our CO₂ reduction strategy
Decarbonising aviation is a significant challenge for the industry and requires the development and scaling up of numerous new technologies. The Lufthansa Group and SWISS are aiming for net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This can only be achieved through a combination of several levers, in particular through Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), supplemented by new technologies, operational efficiency improvements, investments in high-quality climate protection projects and CO2 removal.
SWISS aligns its CO2 strategy with the roadmap of the Air Transport Association (IATA) and implements measures across a wide range of areas together with its customers and partners. Sustainable Aviation Fuels will make the greatest contribution, consisting in the long term of a combination of biogenic and synthetic fuels, known as power-to-liquid fuels.
Together with the Lufthansa Group, SWISS is committed to the development and market launch of SAF and is also investing in new technologies, particularly in the ongoing renewal of the fleet with significantly more efficient aircraft. At the same time, flight operations are continuously being optimised. According to the IATA roadmap, technological approaches such as electric or hydrogen-based propulsion systems will also make a contribution, but will remain limited to a small proportion and to short-haul applications. In order to achieve the net-zero target, aviation will have to offset the remaining CO2 emissions through CO2 removal. SWISS and the Lufthansa Group therefore support both natural and technological approaches to the permanent removal of CO2 from the atmosphere.
The CO2 target of halving by 2030 net CO2 emissions compared with 2019 serves as an important milestone on the path to net-zero CO2 emissions and supports the market ramp-up of the technologies and fuels required for this. The net-zero CO2 target will be achieved by the following measures: a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), 13% through the use of new technologies (such as new engines and lighter aircraft), 3% through increased efficiency in flight operations (such as optimised flight routes or adapted flight processes) and a 19% reduction through offsetting/CO2 removal.
Further information on the measures in the SWISS CO2 roadmap
Further information on the measures in the SWISS CO2 roadmap
In addition to saving CO2 emissions in flight operations, SWISS is committed to improving its environmental scorecard in other areas.
Where our flight operations stand today
SWISS has successfully reduced its specific fuel consumption – expressed in litres of kerosene used to transport a passenger over a distance of 100 km – by 26% from 2003 to 2024. The specific fuel consumption for the transport of a passenger over 100 kilometres was 3.23 litres in 2024. This corresponds to 82 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre. By comparison, the average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars are approx. 130 g/km in Switzerland.
