Boeing has announced its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by using 100 per cent biofuel in its fleet by 2030.
The airframer has announced it will be working with regulatory authorities and across the wider industry to raise the blending limit for expanded use. Adjustments required to new aircraft will include advances to jet systems, raising fuel-blending requirements and safety certification by global regulators to meet broad industry targets of slashing carbon emissions in half by 2050.
Commercial flight currently accounts for about 2 per cent of global carbon emissions and about 12 per cent of transport emissions, according to data cited by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG).
At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50 per cent with conventional jet fuel. SAFs are derived from products including used vegetable oil, animal fats, sugar cane and other waste products. The use of 100 per cent SAFs will need safety certification from aviation regulators worldwide before they can be used for commercial flights.
SAF is “safest, most measurable solution”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal said: “Our industry and customers are committed to addressing climate change, and sustainable aviation fuels are the safest and most measurable solution to reduce aviation carbon emissions in the coming decade. We’re committed to working with regulators, engine companies and other key stakeholders to ensure our airplanes and eventually our industry can fly entirely on sustainable jet fuels.”
Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond added: “With a long history of innovation in sustainable aviation fuels, certifying our family of airplanes to fly on 100 per cent sustainable fuels significantly advances Boeing’s deep commitment to innovate and operate to make the world better. Sustainable aviation fuels are proven, used every day, and have the most immediate and greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions in the near and long term when we work together as an industry.”
Boeing has worked with airlines, engine manufacturers and industry partners to conduct biofuel test flights starting in 2008 and gain approval for sustainable fuels in 2011. In 2018, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight-test programme made the world’s first commercial aircraft flight using 100 per cent sustainable fuels with a 777 Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.
