Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) said Thursday it cemented its leadership in sustainable aviation practices, earning a prestigious gold rating from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and an improved environmental, social and governance (ESG) score of 41 from S&P Global.
CEB said its dedication to reducing carbon emissions, integrating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and transparently reporting sustainability metrics secured its place among the top 19 airlines awarded the Gold rating in the 2023 CAPA-Envest Global Airline Sustainability Benchmarking Report.
The achievement positions CEB as the highest-rated airline for sustainability in the Philippines and one of only two low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Southeast Asia to garner the distinction.
CEB improved its ESG score from 38 in 2022 to 41 in 2023, ranking in the 69th percentile among 63 assessed airlines by S&P Global. The S&P Global ESG Score evaluates a company’s ESG management through disclosures, media and stakeholder reports, and direct engagement.
CEB said it excelled in the social dimension, with a score of 53, exceeding the industry average of 44. This was complemented by improvements in the environmental dimension, where the airline boosted its rating from 20 in 2022 to 26.
CEB also rebounded in governance, reaching 41 from its previous rating of 39.
“We are firmly convinced that the future of aviation lies in sustainable practices,” said Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer Alex Reyes.
“CAPA’s recognition of our improved environmental, social, and governance performance underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability. This also motivates us to further explore innovative solutions to reduce our impact and contribute positively to the community,” Reyes said.
CEB’s sustainability accolades extend beyond the gold rating. The airline was recently named the Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline in the Philippines for 2023 by World Economic Magazine and received the Asia Environmental Sustainability Airline/Airline Group of the Year award from CAPA in 2022 for its exemplary integration of sustainable programs and collaborative efforts.
CEB said it consistently implemented initiatives to minimize its environmental impact and promote sustainable development. These include investing in modern, fuel-efficient NEO aircraft, implementing fuel-saving operational procedures, and transitioning to electric vehicles and equipment.
CEB said it remains committed to integrating sustainability into its core business strategy, ensuring safe, reliable and accessible flights for every passenger while minimizing its environmental impact.