by Xinhua writer Hu Tao
SHANGHAI, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Janet Mi took part in a small but significant ceremony at Shanghai Pudong International Airport recently, welcoming the arrival of a freighter aircraft with the words "100% CO2 neutral" painted on the side.
For the Chief Lufthansa Cargo Representative of China, this event was a bright spot in a challenging year and a sign that better things were to come.
The aircraft, a Boeing B777 freighter, had just completed the world's first carbon-neutral freight flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai.
"Lufthansa shares with China the idea of sustainable development. We are confident in this dynamic market and will work together with China to explore a win-win future," Janet Mi told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
GREEN FUTURE
"We are not only looking for green fuels to replace traditional fossil fuels, but also exploring the path to a sustainable future for the global civil-aviation industry," Mi said.
The B777 freighter used the carbon-neutral Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for the entire flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, a major hub of Lufthansa's global network.
The project was jointly launched by Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker, with the aim of exploring the alternative aviation fuel to cut carbon emissions.
"During this flight, the Lufthansa Cargo freighter reduced its carbon footprint by around 80 percent by replacing traditional fossil fuels with SAF. Together with DB Schenker, we offset another 20 percent through reforestation, making it a 100 percent carbon-neutral flight," Mi said.
The global aviation industry has long faced harsh challenges due to the need to cut emissions. In 2020, the industry was severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is the responsibility of big companies to play a part in fostering innovative solutions," Mi said that, the company shares with China the ideas of green and sustainable development.
China will strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The country commits to promote greener economic and social development in all respects while pursuing high-quality development.
CONFIDENCE IN CHINA
"The Chinese government has shown its strength and performance in fighting against COVID-19, and the country's economy retains its vitality," Mi said.
Shanghai, one of Lufthansa Cargo's biggest destinations outside Germany, is also home to one of its global hubs for transporting pharmaceuticals: the Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co., Ltd.
This hub was jointly built by Lufthansa Cargo and Shanghai Pudong Airport, along with several other partners. It recently completed the cold-chain transportation infrastructure covering diversified temperature ranges for frozen vaccines.
Since the pandemic began, Lufthansa Cargo has invested in a rapid transportation infrastructure for important medical supplies such as nucleic acid reagents. "Now, the upcoming worldwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is a key issue. Air carriers are gearing up."
Vaccine transportation is time and temperature sensitive, and it requires carriers to have professional air-freight infrastructure.
According to Mi, Lufthansa Cargo has the ground infrastructure to fly pharmaceuticals globally, including large-scale pharmaceutical logistics hubs, one of which is at Shanghai.
Shanghai is also the city with the largest air-transport capacity for Lufthansa Cargo within the global market. It is the destination with the greatest number of Lufthansa Cargo flights outside of Germany.
Lufthansa Cargo and the China Post established a strategic partnership in 2016 and renewed the joint strategic memorandum in 2018, committing to operating a weekly cargo service for airmail between China and Europe.
The carrier is also seeking more extensive cooperation with China's major e-commerce companies and forwarding agents, as well as exploring end-to-end integrated air and land transport between China and Europe.
"China is one of Lufthansa Group's key strategic markets worldwide. It is a massive market and committed to further opening up. We are confident in it and will extend our presence here," Mi said. Enditem
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