“Rising to the Challenge” Report Marks Major Milestone on Lessor’s Sustainability Journey

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#CDBAviation--CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CDB Leasing”), today released its inaugural sustainability report, entitled: “Rising to the Challenge.”

“CDB Aviation recognizes that climate change poses a fundamental challenge to the planet, society, and economy. Aviation, like all other industries, needs to transition to a low-carbon future,” contends Jie Chen, CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer. “Achieving sustainable aviation is an industry-wide challenge that will only be solved by a collaborative and coordinated response. Therefore, we, as aircraft lessors, are playing an important role in this transition.”

In 2022, CDB Aviation formed a Sustainability Working Group, which was tasked with developing a comprehensive new sustainability strategy, bringing together the lessor’s activities across the areas of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) and defining clear actions the company can take to improve its sustainability performance in the future.

“CDB Aviation’s inaugural sustainability report marks an important milestone on our business’ sustainability journey,” explains Jie Chen, CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer. “Our team continues to evolve our business, with an unwavering commitment to facilitating positive change across the industry and creating a better future together. As part of this commitment, we are proud to be launching our sustainability strategy.”

The lessor’s comprehensive sustainability strategy is focused on the next three years, setting out clear actions in two key categories – those concentrated on “Managing Our Impact” as a business, and those dedicated to “Maximizing Our Influence” to help drive progress across the industry.

Managing Our Impacts: CDB Aviation will actively manage the material sustainability risks and opportunities facing our business.

• Continuously lower the environmental impact of the lessor’s fleet and operations by investing in the latest, most fuel-efficient aircraft, retiring older aircraft, and working with finance providers to develop opportunities related to sustainable finance.
• Institute leading practices on key aspects of the social agenda, specifically staff member wellbeing and development, with an immediate focus on formalizing the approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) and committing to community initiatives through a CSR program.
• Establish a strong governance foundation, with a focus on embedding sustainability into the governance framework and strengthening related areas, such as supply chain management.

Maximizing Our Influence: CDB Aviation will focus on collaborative efforts, forming partnerships and working with other stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem, in three key areas:

• Accelerate innovation in sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and new technology;
• Advance progress on DEI initiatives; and
• Strengthen advocacy & sustainability leadership.

Today, CDB Aviation’s fleet consists of 273 aircraft, with an average age of 4.4 years. 125 of these aircraft are the latest generation models in their respective segments, i.e., the A320neo Family, A330neo, A350, 737 MAX, and 787 aircraft, boasting 20-25% more fuel efficiency and fewer CO₂ emissions per seat than exiting older generation aircraft. The relative efficiency of the fleet on an Available Seat Kilometre (“ASK”) basis has already improved by 12% since 2018.

As part of the CDB Aviation Sustainable Fleet Initiative, the lessor targets to achieve 60% new generation aircraft by the end of 2025 (by aircraft count). This significant transition, from 12% of new generation aircraft in 2018 to 46% today and 60% by 2025, is happening through active portfolio management, exiting older generation aircraft and adding new generation types from the lessor’s orderbook and through acquisitions.

“Our sustainability strategy is underpinned by our belief that to achieve our corporate mission, we must respond to the sustainability risks and opportunities that will fundamentally shape our industry’s future and indeed the future of the world. We recognize that the long-term commercial success of our business relies on it. CDB Aviation is committed to being part of the solution. I firmly believe that together we can rise to the challenges that are before us,” concludes Chen.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviation’s business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as ”may,” “will,” “seek,” “continue,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “projected,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “believe,” “achieve” or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviation’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CDB Leasing”) a 38-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody’s (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world’s largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.

CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China’s leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business – listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero

Contacts

Paul Thibeau

[email protected]; +1 612 594 9844