Boeing has said that all the commercial aircraft it builds will be capable of running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 “to address the urgent challenge of climate change”.
“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.
Currently, sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend, which is the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications.
In order to meet aviation’s commitment for reducing carbon emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2050, planes need the capability to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuels well before 2050.
Sustainable aviation fuels can be made from a variety of feedstocks, including non-edible plants, agricultural and forestry waste, non-recyclable household waste, industrial plant off-gassing and other sources.
Sustainable aviation fuels can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle with the potential to reach 100% in the future.
Boeing’s 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 other aviation stakeholders 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 flight using 100% sustainable fuels with a 777 freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.