Air China

Air China reported total operational greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 27.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2024. As a major international airline, its core business of passenger and cargo air travel is inherently emissions-intensive, with Scope 1 emissions from jet fuel combustion constituting the vast majority of its footprint. The Climate Transition Pathway initiative assesses companies relative to their sector peers on emissions intensity and governance. Air China's reported emissions profile places it among the higher-emitting entities within the global aviation industry.

The company's 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report outlines a response to China's national "dual carbon" strategy, citing specific operational initiatives such as the use of auxiliary power unit alternatives, which it estimated reduced CO2 emissions by 248,000 tonnes in 2022. It has also announced plans to introduce more fuel-efficient aircraft to support energy conservation and emissions reduction. However, the fundamental carbon intensity of its business model—long-haul air travel—remains significant, and its disclosed emissions trajectory must be evaluated against the aviation sector's alignment with a 1.5°C pathway. Leadership's treatment of emissions governance as a core operational mandate, beyond stated commitments, is a material factor in this assessment.