The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook has announced the latest 2026 results. China Airlines, a Taiwan-based carrier, earned the top spot in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the global airline industry thanks to its outstanding ESG performance. The carrier is the only airline ranked in the global top 1% and the only Taiwanese transportation company to be included in the Yearbook for nine years, taking the top spot on two occasions. These accomplishments set a new benchmark in sustainability for the airline and transportation industries in Taiwan.

The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is compiled using the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). A rigorous assessment of more than 9,200 enterprises across 59 industries from around the world is undertaken with just eight airlines shortlisted in 2026. Once again, China Airlines achieved the top score in CSA for the global airline industry with a robust performance in both the Environmental and Social dimensions. The airline also delivered outstanding results in 23 assessment indicators, including full marks in Transparency and Reporting, Environmental Policy and Management, Energy, Water, Transportation Safety, and Human Rights. These, along with Climate Strategy and Customer Relations, meant that China Airlines topped the airline industry in eight indicators, providing a convincing and comprehensive demonstration of the airline's commitment and ability in sustainable development.

Sustainability initiatives at China Airlines include becoming the first airline in Taiwan to achieve verification of Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) as well as pioneering the energy transformation of the Taiwanese air transportation industry. China Airlines was the first airline in the industry to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for ferry flights of new aircraft since 2017 and was also the first to utilize SAF in commercial passenger and cargo flights. At the same time, the airline partnered with supply chain and corporate clients to put carbon reduction targets and low-carbon transportation into practice as part of the push towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. China Airlines also actively participates in the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge. In 2025, the demonstration flight fueled with almost 40% SAF conducted in collaboration with the Taiwanese industry value chain won the Transformational Impact through SAF Award, highlighting the airline's leadership and international influence in the sustainable innovation of the regional value chain.

In keeping with the sustainability philosophy of giving back to society and creating social value, China Airlines continues to expand its corporate influence through inclusive social welfare and environmental conservation projects. These include caring for the elderly, the disadvantaged, and schoolchildren, promotion of coastal clean-ups, tree plantings, bio-diversity conservation, and the Satoyama Initiative, as well as supporting charitable and disaster relief efforts, organizing charity sports camps, and cultivating grassroots sports. More recently, China Airlines hosted charity movie screenings, drawing on film culture to communicate positive messages, bring warmth, and fulfill its corporate social responsibility.

China Airlines has received widespread domestic and international recognition for its sustainability performance, winning the gold award at the ESG Logistics Sustainability Awards on two occasions, receiving the Sustainable Development Award of the Civil Aviation Administration for direct support of domestic energy transformation, as well as consecutive wins at the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards and Global Corporate Sustainability Award. Achievements also extend to being included as a constituent stock in the FTSE4Good TIP Taiwan ESG Index on seven occasions and the FTSE4Good Index Series on ten occasions. The airline's tireless commitment to corporate sustainability has produced clear results. (2026/03/05)