Boeing announced on Friday that the company is setting a target to advance the long-term sustainability of commercial aviation, committing that its commercial airplanes will be capable and certified to fly on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuels by 2030.

 

Boeing has previously conducted successful test flights replacing petroleum jet fuel with 100 percent sustainable fuels to address the urgent challenge of climate change, the company said.

 

According to the Air Transport Action Group, U.S. Department of Energy and several other scientific studies, sustainable aviation fuels reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent over the fuel's life cycle with the potential to reach 100 percent in the future.

 

Sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend - the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications, according to Boeing.

 

In order to meet aviation's commitment for reducing carbon emissions by 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2050, airplanes need the capability to fly on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuels well before 2050, the announcement 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 decades," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal.

 

"With a long history of innovation in sustainable aviation fuels, certifying our family of airplanes to fly on 100% sustainable fuels significantly advances Boeing's deep commitment to innovate and operate to make the world better," Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond said. "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 worked with airlines, engine manufacturers and others to conduct biofuel test flights starting in 2008 and gain approval for sustainable fuels in 2011.

 

Sustainable aviation fuels can be made from a wide variety of feedstocks, including non-edible plants, agricultural and forestry waste, non-recyclable household waste, industrial plant off-gassing and other sources. Enditem