If the aviation industry were a country, it would be the 7th largest source of CO2 emissions in the world. One key solution to decarbonizing aviation rests with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), made from renewable sources like used cooking oils and waste animal fats. When used in its neat form, SAF can reduce up to to 80% less emissions compared to fossil jet fuel.
In January 2020, JetBlue announced that it would be the first airline in the US to fly regularly on SAF (produced by fellow Pledge signatory, Neste) out of San Francisco International Airport. The innovative collaboration between Neste and JetBlue is an example of how companies can partner to accelerate responsible climate action.
Shipping sector leaders have commited to scaling up zero-emissions fuel derived from renewables-based hydrogen to nearly 11 million tonnes by 2030, sending a clear signal to the nascent industry.
Transitioning to zero and near-zero emission economies is at the core of addressing the three planetary crises outlined by the UN: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution currently underway. However, decarbonization cannot be treated in isolation. As recognized in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, “ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies […]
Current efforts in international shipping’s decarbonization focus on fuel-related emissions, however huge reductions can be achieved by progressively switching to steel with lower embodied CO₂ emissions.
We cannot stay aligned with a 1.5 degree C scenario without complementing electrification with strategies that will reduce vehicle kilometers traveled, argue Mohamed Hegazy and Domenik Kohl, Climate Champions Team.
