Options for CO₂ savings in air travel via SAF and climate protection projects

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is produced from renewable energy sources, such as used cooking oils and fats or from agricultural waste. While SAF emits a similar amount of CO₂ emissions during combustion as conventional kerosene, its lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are at least 80% lower. To contribute to saving CO₂ emissions, we calculate the fuel required based on the estimated CO₂ emissions and ensure that exactly this amount of SAF is used on future Lufthansa Group flights.

The SAF used in the Lufthansa Group's offers to customers is purchased in addition to the EU regulatory SAF quota of 2%, the costs of which are already factored into the ticket price via the Environmental Cost Surcharge, and is incorporated into the Lufthansa Group's flight operations within six months after the respective flight. Parts of the eligible SAF used by Lufthansa Group have been co-funded by the EU Emissions Trading System.

The raw materials used to create SAF don’t take away from human or animal food and are subject to strict sustainability criteria defined in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation which are reviewed by independent auditors.

SAF currently represents less than 1% of total aviation fuel used worldwide and costs about three to five times more than fossil fuel. The Lufthansa Group is involved in numerous projects to ensure that SAF becomes available in larger quantities as quickly as possible.  

The Lufthansa Group promotes climate protection projects around the world in collaboration with the providers myclimate, First Climate, Ceezer and senken. These projects include carbon farming in Germany, the introduction of energy-saving cookers for people in African countries, or converting biomass into a charcoal-like product, so-called biochar. Additionally, Lufthansa Group supports the scaling of new technologies, which filters CO₂ directly from the ambient air and stores it for centuries in geological spaces.

All projects ensure that, over a long period of time, CO₂ emissions are either avoided or removed from the atmosphere. Since such projects have complex ecological and social interdependences, the exact extent of their CO₂ savings can naturally vary. By selecting carefully vetted projects, we aim to ensure that your support contributes to climate protection. Climate protection projects outside of Europe are certified to the highest international standards: “Gold Standard” or “Puro.Earth”. The impact and quality of local European climate protection projects are ensured by domestic standards, such as “Carbon Standards International (CSI)” or the ISO 14064.