- Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical instability (Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine conflict).
- Increased waste generation due to increased passenger traffic.
- High energy costs.
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2023 reporting, Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 14.5M tCO2e/year. By scope: Scope 1: 11.9M tCO2e/year; Scope 2: 45.7K tCO2e/year; Scope 3: 2.6M tCO2e/year. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
14.5M tCO2e/year
2023
Water Usage
656.3K tons/year
2023
Waste
12.0K tons/year
2023
Energy Use
1.4M GJ/year
2023
📊 Emissions by Scope (2023)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 11.9M tCO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 45.7K tCO2e/year |
| Scope 3 | Other indirect emissions across the value chain (purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, etc.). | 2.6M tCO2e/year |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14.5M tCO2e/year |
| 2022 | 10.6M tCO2eq/year |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reduced carbon emissions by 9.86% year-over-year in passenger aircraft fuel efficiency (91.55 kgCO2/100RTK in 2023 vs 101.56 kgCO2/100RTK in 2022)
- Reduced carbon emissions by approximately 257,000 tons through fuel efficiency improvements.
- Achieved 68.2% waste recycling rate (though this decreased slightly year-over-year due to increased waste volume from increased passenger traffic).
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Achieve zero major accidents.
- Obtain ISO 27701 and ISMS-P certifications for data protection.
📅 Medium-term
- Achieve Carbon Neutral Growth by 2035 through ICAO CORSIA.
- Increase social contribution activities to over 190 events by 2026.
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
EnvironmentalSocialGovernance