Finnair Sustainability Report 2025: key findings from the author

Essi Tähtinen, who works in Finnair's Group Accounting, Investor Relations & Tax team, is responsible for compiling the company's annual sustainability data into a single entity. We asked her what we should understand about Finnair's sustainability actions.

1. Emission reductions in aviation are challenging to implement, but progress is also being made 

Finnair's sustainability data shows that the company's greenhouse gas emissions increased in volume in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, Essi emphasises that although total emissions may vary depending on the market situation and the number of flights, several concrete steps were taken towards longer-term climate goals during the year. 

"We reduced the carbon intensity of our operations, which is a key factor in achieving our long-term emission reduction targets. During the year, we also participated in the eSAF pilot, which aims to demonstrate that the production of eSAF in Finland is technically possible. The project is a pioneer in its field and supports our goal of increasing the availability of sustainable fuels in the coming years." 

Finnair also reported for the first time the EU Taxonomy-aligned shares of its revenue, capital expenditure and operating expenses.  This means the parts of the company's business that significantly contribute to the sustainability transition. 

"For Finnair, these include the revenue generated by the A350 fleet and the investments allocated to the maintenance of the fleet. The A350-900 model aircraft are significantly more emission-efficient as new-generation aircraft than older models. The use of renewable fuels is also considered to significantly promote the sustainability transition," Essi explains.

2. The majority of aviation's climate impacts are related to fuel

More than 80% of Finnair's greenhouse gas emissions are related to the use of fossil aviation fuel and its production and transportation. That is why Finnair emphasizes the reduction of direct emissions from its aircraft above all else in its climate work. 

Replacing fossil aviation fuel with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is currently the single most significant means of reducing emissions from aviation. In 2025, Finnair used 16,360 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel, which accounted for approximately 1.6% of the company's total fuel consumption. Although the share is still small, it increased clearly from the previous year and supports Finnair's goal of increasing the use of renewable fuels in the long term. 

"Our carbon intensity decreased precisely because of the increased use of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. But as our report shows, SAF is quite an expensive step forward for business. Jet fuel use accounts for about a third of our operating costs."

3. Our human rights work now systematically covers the entire value chain

In January 2025, Finnair published its human rights commitment on its website, in which the company confirms its commitment to respect internationally recognised human rights. The commitment also describes how Finnair assesses the human rights risks that are most significant to its operations throughout its value chain. In Essi's opinion, the publication of the commitment was one of the successes of the year. 

"The year was particularly successful in terms of understanding and assessing human rights risks. During the year, Finnair worked systematically to identify and prevent human rights risks throughout the value chain. This work strengthens both the transparency of our operations and our ability to prepare for and respond to potential risks. Now Finnair has a clear process and systematic monitoring mechanism in place, and the operating model has also been implemented in our internal risk management system."

4. Flying enables well-being for communities

Finally, Essi wants to emphasize one more aspect that is easily overshadowed by direct emissions. " Even though it can sometimes feel like nothing else matters as much as our direct emissions, we must remember that it is also important to report on all the good things that flying enables.” 

Flying plays a significant role in the economic, social, and cultural well-being of communities. Connections to the world bring new jobs, foreign investment, trade, tourism and tax revenue. They strengthen the vitality of the regions and open up opportunities for both individuals and companies.

5. Reporting is meaningful

Essi describes the preparation of the report as a significant part of preparing for the future. "I believe there is simply no other way than to prepare, and that's why this work feels meaningful to me.” 

She also sees a clear change in how sustainability reporting will be read and utilised in the future. " In the future, the report will be read by AI-powered systems that will be able to compare the operations of different companies with the help of data points. Digital tagging will be identical for different operators, which will make the comparison much more reliable and effortless. This, in turn, further increases the importance of the quality of reporting and data accuracy." 

Finally, we asked Essi what is the one thing she would like everyone to understand about the airline's climate work. The answer is unequivocal: "An alternative to fossil fuels must be found, and this must be done cost-effectively." 

Finnair's sustainability report is available here.