IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

IATA urges government action on SAF

The International Air Transport Association, during its AGM in Doha, beseeched governments to put in place “large-scale” incentives to encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuels. IATA said the use of SAF would play a leading part in the industry’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with sustainable fuel set to account for 65 per cent of aviation’s carbon mitigation in the next 30 years...

BT4Europe calls for ‘standardised’ CO2 data

BT4Europe, the new European network of business travel associations, has called for “standardised, accurate and comparable” data on carbon emissions from travel to enable the sector to make progress in reducing its environmental footprint. The group of 13 business travel associations, which was formed in February this year to raise the concerns of the sector across Europe, has produced its first position paper on sustainability, including a series of recommendations to the European Union...

Aviation groups call for EU-wide mandate on SAF use

European aviation groups have called for an EU-wide mandate on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ahead of key negotiations over how emissions from air travel will be cut across the continent. The Fit for 55 package will determine how the EU turns its climate goals into law, including its commitment to cut emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, which will be the subject of talks between the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Council in the coming months. In a joint letter to EU negotiators, Airlines for Europe (A4E), airports association ACI Europe, air navigation body CANSO Europe and ERA (European Regions Airline Association) called for “several adjustments” to the current proposals for RefuelEU – which would oblige airlines to increase their use of SAF at EU airports – and the EU Emissions Trading System...

Airline completes ‘milestone’ SAF flight

Swedish carrier Braathens Regional Airlines has completed the first test flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a commercial regional aircraft. The flight took place in Sweden and was part of an ongoing collaboration between Braathens, regional aircraft manufacturer ATR and SAF supplier Neste, which is designed to accelerate the process of SAF certification...

Lufthansa Group trials ‘Green Fares’

Lufthansa Group airlines are currently piloting new “Green Fares” that include “full compensation” for carbon emissions in the ticket price. The pilot is initially taking place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway with the fares available on flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. Green fares are available in both economy and business class, with “full CO2 compensation” included in the price – 80 per cent of offsetting is conducted through climate protection projects and 20 per cent through the use of SAF...

UK introduces fuel mandate

The UK government is to introduce a new mandate on the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as part of its Jet Zero Strategy to achieve “net zero” emissions from flights by 2050. The strategy, which was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow in July, will require that at least ten per cent of jet fuel must be produced from sustainable sources by 2030....

Carriers secure SAF deals

British Airways, Lufthansa Group, TAP and Aer Lingus are among airlines to have secured supply deals for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in recent months. The Lufthansa Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with energy firm Shell to receive supplies of SAF between 2024 and 2030, with the aviation group taking delivery of up to 1.8 million metric tonnes of SAF from Shell over the seven-year period. TAP Air Portugal has partnered with airport authority ANA Aeroportos de Portugal and sustainable fuel provider Galp to develop, produce and supply SAF 'on a large scale' across the country. Sister airlines British Airways and Aer Lingus have signed a multi-year agreement with renewable fuels company Aemetis to supply SAF to help power their respective flights from San Francisco from 2025. Under the deal, the IAG-owned airlines will purchase 78,400 tonnes of SAF over seven years.

News in brief

• SAP Concur’s new car rental booking tool, which is due for release by the end of 2022, will feature tools to help travellers make more sustainable transport choices, including search filters for hybrid and electric vehicles as well as guidance on vehicle emissions.
• Advito and BCD Meetings & Events have developed what they say is the first emissions calculator for meetings and events certified by the International Organization for Standardization. The calculator allows planners to input a wide range of data in the pre-event planning stage to understand the “impact of their choices and the levers they can adjust to decrease emissions”.
• London Stansted Airport has been given permission by the UK government to develop a solar farm on land already owned by the airport. It said the 14.3-megawatt solar farm would help to meet the airport’s need for electricity, including the growing use of electric vehicles around its facilities, and help it achieve its commitment to making airport operations net zero carbon emissions by no later than 2038.
• FCM Consulting has appointed Glenn Thorsen as its new sustainability lead to head up a dedicated practice to help clients achieve their environmental targets. Denmark-based Thorsen was formerly head of partnerships for sustainability specialist Thrust Carbon.