Qatar Airways Cargo has become the first cargo carrier to join the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) voluntary carbon offsetting programme for air cargo shipments.

The ‘CO2NNECT’ platform enables air cargo shipments to become carbon neutral by offering an integrated carbon calculation and offset solution between shippers and freight forwarders, IATA said.

Qatar Airways’ chief executive His Excellence Akbar Al Baker commented: “As Qatar Airways first launched its carbon offset programme for passengers in 2020, we are pleased to now offer them the option of transporting the air cargo in a CO2 neutral way in the future. Qatar Airways Cargo has always been at the forefront of industry initiatives. I am proud of our efforts to support the aviation industry in achieving the ambitious carbon emission education targets.”

Kuehne+Nagel will be the launch customer for the platform.

The pilot project has launched on four routes, with plans to extend to the rest of Qatar Airway’s cargo network of over 60 freighter destinations and more than 140 passenger destinations worldwide.

The airline said the programme allows cargo customers to “easily offset” the emissions associated with air freight shipments and is “a step towards achieving their environmental sustainability commitments”.

IATA’s director general Willie Walsh added: “The industry target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 applies to both passengers and cargo. It also needs all stakeholders in the industry to work together and embrace innovative solutions.

“Congratulations to Qatar Airways Cargo for being the first to implement CO2NNECT, and to Kuehne+Nagel for being a launch customer. As the world gathers for the COP26 meeting to strengthen global cargo-reduction plans, the launch of this offsetting solution shows our industry-wide commitment to sustainable air cargo.”