Emirates Joins the Move to -15C Coalition

Emirates Joins -15C Movement 

Emirates has become the first airline to join the Move to -15°C global coalition, bringing its expertise to this initiative. As a leader in the transport of perishable goods, Emirates will contribute its extensive knowledge and experience in handling and shipping to the initiative, which has the potential to transform the industry.

First launched at COP28 in the UAE, the Move to -15°C coalition aims to redefine frozen food temperature standards and reduce energy consumption in the frozen food supply chain. The hypothesis suggests that a three-degree change in temperature could significantly impact the environment without compromising food quality and safety. The coalition will collaborate with cross-industry partners to explore the practical implementation of this research through data sharing, operational revisions, and engagement with policymakers and regulators.

Perishables are Emirates SkyCargo's largest business unit by tonnage, with 900 to 1,000 tonnes of fresh food transported globally on Emirates flights every day. Although frozen foods represent a smaller portion, the airline has developed exceptional cold chain infrastructure, employed proprietary innovations, and established strong relationships throughout the supply chain. This infrastructure will provide valuable insights for reimagining the frozen food supply chain.

Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Emirates SkyCargo, stated, “We have long been leaders in the movement of perishable food, connecting the global agricultural community with consumers around the world and delivering freshness that can be tasted. The Move to -15°C coalition is a forward-looking initiative that brings together like-minded partners to evolve the industry in response to advancements in technology, equipment, facilities, packaging, and more. We are excited to share our insights and expertise to help shape the next phase of food logistics while making a meaningful environmental impact.”

Thomas Eskesen, Chairman of the Move to -15°C Coalition, added, "We are excited to welcome Emirates to our Coalition. The airline industry plays a vital role in the global cold chain, and having a leading airline like Emirates on board represents a significant step forward for us. Ambitious climate action across the complex frozen food supply chain—including food production, ports, shipping, road, rail, and air freight, cold storage, and retail—can only be achieved through cross-sector collaboration. By joining the Coalition, Emirates demonstrates that change is possible when industries work together."

The Move to -15°C coalition was established in 2023, following the release of the Three Degrees of Change report. This academic paper was supported by global logistics firm DP World and delivered by experts from the Paris-based International Institute of Refrigeration, the University of Birmingham, and London South Bank University, among others.

Emirates is committed to sustainable and environmental initiatives that make an impact both in its operations and across the industry. Recognizing that no single entity can achieve substantial results alone, a key part of the airline’s strategy is to collaborate with the broader industry to address major challenges. In addition to the Move to -15°C coalition, Emirates is an industrial partner of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), representing the initial allocation from the airline’s USD 200 million Sustainability Fund, dedicated to research and development projects aimed at reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation. Emirates has also joined The Solent Cluster in the UK, a cross-sector collaboration focused on reducing CO2 emissions and producing low-carbon fuels.