You’ve seen them on refrigerators, televisions, washing machines and all kinds of household appliances – and soon they’ll be spotted on an AKE container near you… The Energy Label, alias: the first ever “ULD Climate Impact Label”. A significant Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives of leading ULD Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), pooling company and airlines at the Aviation Connect event in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 30OCT24, endorsing the adoption and implementation of a specially developed system that provides information on a container’s sustainability factors.
You see, there is more to sustainability in aviation than simply SAF – and particularly if, in this case, it is something that does actually meet the eye. In the Aviation Connect panel discussion on ‘Advancing Airfreight Sustainability and Accountability: Integrating ULD Care Initiatives’, it was Terry Waithe, Manager – ULD Logistics and Cool Chain – Cargo at Air Canada Cargo and IATA ULD Board member, who quoted Maya Angelou: “When you know better, you do better.” Talk was of improving the environmental impact, make-up, and product lifecycle of ULDs. And that consideration is what this new label aims to address.
“When you know better, you do better.”
The original Energy Label was first introduced by the EU in 1994 (though discussions began back in 1976, already), with the aim, on the one hand, of encouraging consumers to choose more energy-efficient products, and on the other, of motivating manufacturers to innovate and adopt more efficient technologies. Today, around 93% of consumers recognize the energy label (according to the latest Eurobarometer survey) and a good 75% actively base their buying decisions on the information it provides. In many cases, the label not only gives information on the product’s energy consumption, but also additional information on other relevant features such as the product’s noise emissions or water consumption, for example.
A significant leap
Like the EU Energy Label, the ULD Climate Impact Label has been designed to provide an easily understandable and clear message regarding the ULD’s environmental impact. The information displayed is currently threefold: It shows the container’s weight – naturally, the lower, the better, since less weight means less need of fuel in transportation, ergo fewer CO2e emissions during flight. The second piece of information regards Spare Part Availability. “Ensuring the long-term availability of spare parts extends the lifespan of ULDs, minimizing the need for frequent replacements and thereby reducing waste and environmental impact,” the press release explains. And finally, the label shows the container’s Second-Life Potential. This is an assessment of the ULD’s recyclability once it comes to the end of its operational life, and the listing should hopefully “encourag[e] responsible end-of-life management and resource optimization.”
“The comprehensive evaluation of these three core elements offers a holistic view of a ULD’s overall environmental footprint, enabling more informed purchasing decisions and promoting a shift towards more sustainable practices. The label is designed to be user-friendly, easily accessible, and readily integrated into existing procurement processes,” reads the release.
Accountability is an opportunity to do better
Urs Wiesendanger, ULD Care President, is certain: “The ULD Climate Impact Label represents a significant leap towards a more sustainable air cargo industry. By providing a clear and accessible framework for assessing and comparing the environmental impact of ULDs, we empower both OEMs and ULD operators to make informed decisions that minimize their carbon footprint. We’re excited to launch this initiative in partnership with leading industry players, driving collective action towards a greener future for air freight.”
Participating OEMs actively interested in minimizing air freight’s carbon footprint, currently include: Aerotuf, AmSafe Bridport/Nordisk Aviation, AviusULD, Palnet GmbH Air Cargo products, Satco Inc., Taiwan Fylin Industrial Co. Ltd., and VRR. ULD manager, ACL Airshop, as well as the airlines: Air Canada, KLM, and United Airlines, were also involved in the creation of the original ULD Climate Impact Label proposal.
Terry Waithe outlined the goals of the label: “When it comes to recycling – we need to talk the talk and walk the walk. Are ULD materials being discarded or repurposed? Over how many life cycles? Are emissions occurring? Can we use bio-degradable materials in part of the ULD? Accountability drives this initiative and is key to innovation. […] Accountability is an opportunity to do better!”
More to come in 2025
2025 will see a continued concerted effort to improve sustainability in relation to ULD movement, manufacturing, and management. Airport College CEO, Pertti Mero, announced the creation of another free 60-second training video to come in the new year, in its series on safe ULD inspection, handling and storage. It will have a core focus on Sustainability. He also stated that an e-learning course to raise awareness of sustainability in aviation would be coming out later this year.
Louise Platell, Innovation Engineer at VRR, confirmed that for VRR “Sustainability is a promise. There is more work to do, but we will make it happen.” The ULD Care plan is to implement the ULD Climate Impact Label first on the AKEs (Aircraft Lower Deck Containers), then branch out to other container types/products, further improving the details in the label such as the inclusion of ULD lifecycle emissions, repairability, and durability – factors that are currently excluded due to the challenges in accurately measuring them. Further, ULD Care intends to establish a central authority and documentation system to manage the label and its documentation.
Be part of the solution
Celine Hourcade, VP Global Head of ESG & Sustainability at SATS Ltd., urged Aviation Connect participants listening to the ULD Care Initiatives panel to join in the ULD Care challenge: “Everyone in the conference has some stake in ULD operations. Please pay attention to what ULD Care is trying to do, and we are always looking for partners to leverage improvements! […] Common sense and constant dialogue is needed. Sustainability should be a constant topic in standard customer relationship.”
Terry Waithe emphasized the message by quoting Eldrige Cleaver: “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
“We all have the opportunity to become part of the solution,” he added.
