Metrics and targets

E1-4 – Targets related to climate change mitigation and adaptation

Scientifically proven CO₂ reduction targets underpin climate change mitigation ambitions

The Lufthansa Group has set itself ambitious climate change mitigation targets. The SBTi validation in 2022 made the Lufthansa Group the first airline group in Europe and the second worldwide with a scientifically verified CO₂ reduction target in line with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. In terms of the SBTi criteria, the Lufthansa Group has set itself a target of reducing its carbon intensity, i.e. its CO₂ emissions in grammes of CO₂ per revenue tonne-kilometre (passenger and freight), by 30.6% from 2019 to 2030. The Lufthansa Group aligns its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the SBTi target with the political goal of limiting global warming to well below two degrees as set out in the Paris Agreement.

The Lufthansa Group’s SBTi target is supplemented by a net-zero target for 2050 and a net-emissions target of ⁠-⁠50% defined for 2030 compared with 2019 to help limit global warming to only 1.5°C as set out by the IPCC. The Lufthansa Group used 2019 as its base year because that was the last operating year unaffected by the coronavirus crisis in terms of emissions when the targets were set. The targets for reducing CO₂ emissions also account for future developments, such as the growth in the number of flights based on the current company-wide growth scenarios. In addition, the Company has set a target for ground operations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to source electricity exclusively from renewable energies. The Lufthansa Group has consolidated its CO₂ emissions reductions. The validated SBTi target for aircraft operations covers Scope 1 as well as Scope 3, Category 3.

The targets defined for climate change mitigation with regard to ground operations cover market-based Scope 2 emissions from electricity consumption.

The Lufthansa Group’s mitigation pathway incorporates business development and forecasts the mitigation amounts of individual measures. It takes into account the key levers by which the Lufthansa Group would like to decarbonise aircraft operations and achieve its targets. Numerous investments and partnerships support the pathway, driving emissions reductions in the short to medium term and advancing the development of the technologies needed over the long term.

Management of SBTi targets is embedded within the Company

The Corporate Responsibility department, in close collaboration with the relevant business areas and specialist departments, develops the strategy and designs the reduction targets for the Lufthansa Group’s airlines. The Executive Board has ultimate oversight of the climate change mitigation and environmental strategy, as well as the organisation, management and implementation of these targets. The Group’s ESG reporting team coordinates the targets to ensure that the degree of target achievement can be derived from the greenhouse gas inventory.

The contribution of individual decarbonisation levers has been quantified

The Lufthansa Group has identified a number of decarbonisation levers, which are described within its four-pillar strategy and the measures taken. The Lufthansa Group quantifies the following contributions of its individual decarbonisation levers to achieving the SBTi target in 2030:

• Fleet renewal reduces greenhouse gas emissions per revenue tonne-kilometre (RTK) by a projected 15.3% based on current framework conditions such as the supply reliability of aircraft manufacturers. 
• Operational efficiency measures reduce greenhouse gas emissions per RTK by a projected 3.9% based on current framework conditions such as the networked utilisation of European airspace. 
• The use of SAF additionally reduces greenhouse gas emissions per RTK by a projected 3.4% based on current framework conditions such as the availability and economic viability of SAF. 

To achieve its net climate change mitigation targets, the Lufthansa Group relies not only on decarbonisation levers but also on supporting certified climate change mitigation projects.

Progress on target achievement measured annually

Overall, the combined reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per RTK compared with the base year 2019 (SBTi KPI) across all measures amounted to 7.1% (previous year: 3.8%) in the reporting year.

The reduction was achieved through the continuous modernisation of the fleet, the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and the introduction of further efficiency measures. By expanding its offerings and services for more sustainable flight options for customers, the Lufthansa Group was able to achieve additional reductions in CO₂ emissions compared with the previous year. 

However, the level of reduction currently remains below the expectations defined at the time the target was set. The main influencing factors were delays in the delivery of modern aircraft, which prevented the planned fleet renewal from being implemented as originally scheduled. In addition, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, such as those between Russia and Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, require large-scale airspace restrictions. In recent years, these have resulted in some cases in significant detours, longer flight times and increased fuel consumption on affected routes. A revalidation of the SBTi target is planned for the 2026 financial year.

The handling of other gases with an impact on climate remains unresolved

The Lufthansa Group has not yet defined targets for other climate-relevant non-CO₂ gases. It is currently conducting research to develop a uniform standard for converting these into CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) or another appropriate metric. Once established, the Lufthansa Group will define and set targets. To date, neither researchers nor legislators have made a clear determination regarding the parameters to be used or the time period over which the effects are to be considered.

Energy-related targets for ground mobility have been revised

As part of a revision of the target framework, the targets relating to ground mobility are currently under review. The timing of the completion of this review process has not yet been determined. Until then, the Lufthansa Group continues to pursue the ambition of achieving CO₂-neutral ground mobility by 2030. This ambition does not follow a defined sector-specific pathway and has not been verified as compatible with the 1.5degree target. The Lufthansa Group systematically monitors the effectiveness of the measures implemented in the context of ground mobility. This is supported by annual monitoring of key energy and consumption indicators, such as diesel, petrol, natural gas and electricity consumption. The analysis of this data makes it possible to track developments in energy consumption and to assess the contribution of the measures to reducing energy requirements and, consequently, to the ambition of achieving CO₂-neutral ground mobility by 2030.

E1-5 – Energy consumption and mix

The Lufthansa Group records and analyses its global energy consumption annually. The energy consumption figures are of high significance for the Lufthansa Group, serving both as the basis for calculating its CO₂ footprint and for verifying the effectiveness of implemented energy reduction measures, and because the Lufthansa Group operates in sectors classified as climate-intensive. These climate-intensive sectors include both passenger and freight air transport as well as activities of Lufthansa Technik in the Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) segment. An overview of the ESRS sectors is provided in ↗ ESRS 2 General disclosures - Strategy, business model and value chain.

The following table provides a detailed overview of the energy sources and their consumption across all the business areas of the Company:

The metric for fuel consumption from renewable sources, including biomass, also covers SAF. In the reporting year, the methodology used to calculate SAF volumes was adjusted compared with the previous year due to regulatory requirements under RefuelEU Aviation. Whereas in the previous year, SAF energy consumption was reported based on volumes sold, in the current reporting year, it is based on delivered SAF volumes, in line with the new statutory reporting framework. In addition, SAF volumes that had not previously been reported were taken into account. In the reporting year, the Lufthansa Group received EUR 13m under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to co-finance the use of eligible SAF (eligible aviation fuels in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/723 - FEETS).

In addition to the absolute energy consumption figures, the Lufthansa Group calculated the energy intensity for the climate-intensive sectors. This amounted to 2.7 kWh per euro of revenue in 2025 (previous year: 2.7 kWh per euro of revenue).

A detailed description of the calculation methodologies for energy consumption and energy intensity can be found under ↗ Basis for calculating metrics in 2025 – Environment.

E1-6 – Gross Scopes 1, 2, 3 and Total GHG emissions

The CO₂ footprint in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol is determined annually

The Lufthansa Group calculates its CO₂ footprint each year. The carbon footprint of the Lufthansa Group represents the total of all carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions generated by its operations as defined by the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards – including significant emissions from the supply chain. To establish the greatest possible level of transparency and comparability, the Lufthansa Group’s carbon footprint is verified annually by an independent external audit organisation and detailed information is provided, including by means of the Group’s participation in the recognised CDP rating scheme. A detailed description of the changes, as well as their impact on the carbon footprint, is provided under ↗ Basis for calculating metrics in 2025 – Environment.

The CO₂ emissions for 2025 are presented in the following table.

For Scope 3, Category 15, the carbon footprint shows significant deviations compared with the previous year due to the first-time inclusion of the equity interest in ITA acquired in 2025.

In addition to the greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel sources, the Lufthansa Group also calculates the emissions resulting from the combustion of biogenic energy sources, particularly SAF. For 2025, these amount to 440,372 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (t CO₂e) in Scope 1 (previous year: 63,741 t CO₂e) and 53,020 t CO₂e in Scope 3 (previous year: data for the 2024 financial year is not available, as it was collected for the first time in the 2025 financial year). There were no biogenic emissions in Scope 2. Comparability of Scope 1 emissions between the 2024 and 2025 reporting years is limited due to a methodological adjustment in the recording of SAF volumes. This change of methodology is described in the chapter ↗ E1-5 – Energy consumption and mix.

Similar to energy intensity, the Lufthansa Group also reports on CO₂ intensity. The amount of CO₂ equivalents emitted per million euros of net revenue is detailed in the following table.

E1-7 – GHG removals and GHG mitigation projects financed through carbon credits

The Lufthansa Group includes contributions to climate change mitigation projects for CO₂ avoidance or removal in order to achieve its voluntary climate target

Beyond its SBTi target, the Lufthansa Group aims to reduce its net CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 compared with 2019. Support for climate change mitigation projects that avoid or remove CO₂ emissions is included as part of this approach and makes a material contribution to achieving this climate target. The contributions flow into a portfolio of climate change mitigation projects, which includes initiatives in various countries around the world, such as Germany, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland. Currently, the Lufthansa Group is supported in this endeavour by organisations including myclimate, Climate Austria, SQUAKE, Climeworks, Ceezer and ClimatePartner. The project portfolio includes modern, technology-based projects such as CarbonCure’s sustainable concrete (which captures CO₂ and stores it long-term in concrete) and biochar (CO₂ removal through plant-based biomass). In doing so, the Lufthansa Group fosters the development of the market for climate change mitigation projects aimed at preventing or removing CO₂ emissions, moving towards new technologies and offerings that deliver long-term carbon sequestration. Passengers contribute through offerings for more sustainable flying, such as the Green Fares flight tariff offered by the Lufthansa Group’s airlines Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines and Air Dolomiti. In addition to the voluntary activities described in this report, the Lufthansa Group also participates in CORSIA as a mandatory offsetting scheme in the aviation sector. In the long term, the Lufthansa Group aims to become CO₂ neutral by 2050 through measures such as these.

Reducing emissions through measures such as fleet modernisation, improvements in operational efficiency and the use of SAF is associated with high costs. As a sector that is difficult to decarbonise, aviation will be reliant on the use of CO₂ certificates in the long term.

By using CO₂ credits, the Lufthansa Group ensures that measures which help to prevent the generation of greenhouse gases in the first place, such as fleet modernisation, are not hindered. Investments in operational measures are prioritised over CO₂ credits as a reduction measure. Based on the current state of the art, further emission reduction measures beyond those already implemented are not currently economically viable for the Lufthansa Group. CO₂ credits are therefore indispensable as a compensation instrument in order to achieve the emissions targets. In addition, customers purchase and finance CO₂ credits so that no investment funds that could otherwise be allocated to other reduction measures become permanently tied up.

All current projects in the Lufthansa Group climate change mitigation portfolio are certified to a high standard. 88% of these projects are verified against the Gold Standard, which is recommended by the German Environment Agency. In addition, several nature-based projects are certified by Plan Vivo, while the technology-based projects (CarbonCure’s sustainable concrete and biochar) are certified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Puro Earth Standard, and Carbon Standards International respectively. Projects by Climate Austria are certified in accordance with local Austrian standards and national environmental funding regulations.

The amount of retired CO₂ certificates, as well as the planned amount of carbon certificates to be retired in the future, is listed in the following table. The total amount of CO₂ credits planned for retirement is exclusively based on contracts concluded with carbon credit providers. However, deviations between the planned values and the actual values may occur for 2025. A detailed description of the calculation methodologies can be found under ↗ Basis for calculating metrics in 2025 – Environment.

Based on the absolute amounts of retired CO₂ certificates presented in the above table, 11% (previous year: 10%) relate to removal projects and 89% (previous year: 90%) to reduction projects. 2% (previous year: 3%) of the retired certificates relate to projects carried out in Europe. Moreover, the Lufthansa Group has not retired any CO₂ certificates that fall under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement.

E1-9 – Anticipated financial effects

The Lufthansa Group makes use of the transitional relief provided for under the delegated “Quick Fix” act and therefore refrains from disclosing the anticipated financial effects within the meaning of ESRS E1-9.