Net Zero by 2050 and SBTi Objectives
CAL complies with the IATA and national carbon reduction targets by leading the industry in announcing the "target for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050" in October 2021. CAL also outlined short, medium, and long-term objectives for flight operations, ground operations, and use of sustainable aviation fuel. In addition,CAL has participated in discussions regarding SBTs since 2017 and discussed the reduction targets for the aviation industry through the IATA platform. CAL signed the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2022, setting a target to improve fuel efficiency by 26% by 2030 compared to the 2019 baseline. This target encompasses Scope 1 (Category 1) and Scope 3 emissions, as well as fuel and energy-related activities (Category 4). This target was approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2024, ensuring compliance with the global carbon reduction goals outlined in the United Nations Paris Agreement to limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Net Zero Emission Strategies and 2025 Key Initiatives
Strategy, Approach, and Carbon Reduction Path for Attaining Net Zero Carbon Emissions
CAL implements 5 core strategies to achieve long-term carbon emission reduction targets. They include: Fuel efficiency improvement (e.g., implementation of various fuel saving and carbon reduction measures and continuous improvement of load factor), upgraded TCFD operations and emergency response systems, promotion of the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), timely participation in international carbon control mechanisms (e.g., CORSIA, EU TS, and UK ETS), and advancing emerging low-carbon technologies, including the continuous introduction of next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft, evaluation of investment opportunities in permanent carbon removal solutions, and monitoring developments in hydrogen-powered and electric aviation technologies to identify cost-effective deployment opportunities and support long-term decarbonization.
CAL has established an internal carbon pricing mechanism covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, taking into account international and domestic GHG regulations (e.g., global carbon regulatory frameworks), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) costs, low-carbon investments (e.g., renewable energy), and internal behavioral changes. A shadow carbon price of EUR 100 per tCO2e (approximately USD 117) has been adopted. This internal carbon pricing mechanism is applied not only for cost-benefit analysis, but also serves as a key input for enterprise risk management, strategic decision- making, driving energy efficiency, identifying and seizing low-carbon opportunities, advancing decarbonization initiatives, and evaluating low-carbon investments. It is progressively embedded into CAL’s operational decision-making processes and enterprise-wide risk assessment framework to support the achievement of climate-related policies and emissions reduction targets, reduce upstream value chain emissions, inform carbon offset budget planning, and facilitate the continuous deployment of emissions reduction measures and low-carbon investments.
SAF Collaboration Project – Invite Corporate Clients and Supply Chain Partners to Jointly Support the SAF Collaboration Project
Promoting energy transition is crucial for the aviation industry to achieve the net-zero carbon goal. However, this can only be effectively accomplished with the support and assistance from the entire industry chain. As a sustainability leader in the transportation sector, CAL was the first airline in Taiwan to adopt SAF. Since 2017, SAF has been used in delivery flights for its A350-900 and A321neo aircraft. From 2017 to 2022, the Company remained the only airline in Taiwan to utilize SAF.
In addition, CAL was the first among Taiwanese airline companies to participate in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel program established by international oil companies and blockchain platforms in 2023. CAL was also the first in Taiwan to introduce the SAF collaboration model for corporate procurement and provide traceable and verifiable carbon reduction reports. CAL cooperated with supply chain vendors and corporate passenger and cargo customers to participate in the SAF Collaboration Project, utilizing SAF that can reduce carbon emissions by over 80% compared to traditional aviation fuel, thereby collectively reducing the carbon footprint. In 2023–2025, China Airlines continued to operate commercial demonstration flights using SAF as part of the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge, steadily accumulating operational experience. This has decreased CAL's direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) and indirect GHG emissions from customer transportation (Scope 3) by approximately 72 metric tons of CO2e in total. CAL will continue to invite supply chain partners to actively support the global sustainable energy transition, enhance corporate net-zero collaboration, and achieve mutually beneficial carbon reduction outcomes.
Since 2025, CAL has partnered with domestic fuel suppliers to introduce SAF at Taipei Songshan, Taoyuan, and Kaohsiung airports under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), supporting the development of the local SAF supply chain. CAL has also collaborated with leading technology companies to incorporate SAF into business travel programs, helping customers achieve decarbonization goals while expanding the impact of sustainable transformation.
China Airlines continues to monitor the development of domestic and international SAF technologies and supply markets. Based on global SAF sourcing and procurement experience, the Company will timely assess the feasibility of domestic and international supply, policy requirements, and operational conditions. China Airlines actively participates in government and supplier-related initiatives to pragmatically advance its SAF procurement strategy, aiming to fulfill its short, medium, and long term sustainability goals.
Engaging in international collaboration to support global carbon reduction initiatives
Since 2023, CAL has collaborated with the IATA on the CO2 Connect initiative, sharing flight emissions data to enhance the application of aviation carbon emissions information. Starting in 2024, CAL joined the CO2 Connect Advisory Group of the IATA, contributing to the monitoring of passenger and cargo models and providing recommendations for refinement to improve the accuracy of aviation emissions calculations. In addition, CAL continues to deepen its international collaboration with IAGOS–PGGM, integrating collected data to support scientific research.
In 2023, the Company deployed IAGOS’s latest P2b and P2d observational instruments, assisting international climate research teams in validating and calibrating greenhouse gas observation, remote sensing, and estimation data from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency satellite programs. This initiative promotes substantive scientific collaboration among Taiwan, Japan, and the European Union, contributes to global climate change research efforts led by organizations such as the United Nations, and enhances the Company’s own route management and operational climate resilience.