A New Collaboration for Greener Air Freight
In a significant step towards sustainable logistics, Shein has partnered with Lufthansa Cargo to reduce aviation emissions. This collaboration will see Shein use carbon credits linked to alternative aviation fuels within the next six months. At its core, the partnership aims to accelerate the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and explore wider solutions to cut carbon from global air freight.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies signals a broader ambition to decarbonise transportation networks while making emissions tracking more credible and transparent.
How the Agreement Works
Lufthansa Cargo will issue certificates to Shein confirming its use of alternative aviation fuels. These certificates are aligned with independent verification standards, giving assurance that the fuels emit fewer greenhouse gases across their lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel.
Although these fuels may not be physically powering flights carrying Shein goods, the certificates allow Shein to account for these reductions in its corporate reporting. Within six months, Shein plans to integrate these credits into its offsetting approach, while continuing to expand the partnership with longer term goals.
The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
What is SAF
Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable or waste-derived fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel. It is seen as the most viable near-term solution for reducing aviation emissions, especially for long-haul flights where electrification or hydrogen technologies remain years away.
Current Limitations
The uptake of SAF is limited by cost and supply. At present, it is several times more expensive than kerosene, and most flights only use small blends due to availability constraints. Still, industry experts see SAF as a critical bridge technology until other low-carbon propulsion systems mature.
Beyond the Fuel
SAF is part of a larger sustainability picture. Both Shein and Lufthansa have highlighted the need to combine fuel innovation with route optimisation, logistics efficiency, and a shift to lower carbon modes of transport such as rail and shipping when possible.
Addressing the Bigger Emissions Picture
While the SAF partnership is a visible step, Shein’s broader emissions profile reveals the scale of the challenge. Between 2021 and 2023, the company’s emissions rose sharply, with 96 percent of its footprint tied to purchased goods and upstream transport.
In response, Shein has developed a decarbonisation roadmap that includes:
- Reducing air and trucking distances by optimising routes
- Supporting trucking partners in adopting fuel-efficient vehicles
- Increasing reliance on road and sea freight where possible
This strategy, developed with sustainability consultancy Anthesis Group, underlines the importance of a multi-pronged approach rather than reliance on a single solution.
Why This Matters for the Future of Aviation
Partnerships like the one between Shein and Lufthansa Cargo show how companies in very different sectors can collaborate to tackle complex sustainability challenges. Aviation is a hard-to-abate sector, and progress requires both industry leadership and collective responsibility across the supply chain.
This collaboration also highlights the importance of transparent emissions reporting. By aligning with third-party verification standards, companies can demonstrate progress in ways that build credibility and trust with regulators, partners, and consumers.
Conclusion
The partnership between Shein and Lufthansa Cargo is more than a business agreement. It reflects a growing recognition that sustainability in transport must be approached through collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
The use of sustainable aviation fuel certificates is a meaningful step, but it is only one part of the larger journey towards decarbonisation. By combining fuel innovation with smarter logistics, alternative modes of transport, and more rigorous reporting, companies can begin to chart a path towards a truly sustainable aviation future.
As the aviation and retail industries navigate this transition, the lessons from such partnerships will be essential for shaping strategies that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
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