In order to make this work, businesses globally need to join together for a low-carbon future.
The 5th largest airline in the United States, JetBlue Airways, which carries more than 32 million customers a year to 95 cities across the Americas has committed to a number of developments to improve its sustainability. These areas include the support and investment in new technology to decrease flight emissions through more efficient operations, a bio-fuel commitment and increased use of bio-materials.
The Long Island based jetBlue, which averages 900 daily flights, has made public its commitments, by becoming the first U.S. airline member, to join the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) the independent and global multi-stakeholder coalition which works to promote the sustainability of biomaterials.
The airline is actively researching alternative fuel sources and firmly believes in their necessity to secure the future of the aviation industry. JetBlue has committed to a biofuels plan in 2017 that will bring future biofuels to JetBlue and create cooperation among commercial carriers. With RSBs guidance, JetBlue will join a consortium of corporate citizens and airlines pursuing multiple sources of biofuels that minimize unwanted environmental and social impacts throughout their supply-chain and life-cycle.
Biofuels are inevitable for the future of the aviation industry. We know we have to start laying the groundwork today as an investment in our future, said Sophia Mendelsohn (@SophiaLeonoraM), head of sustainability, JetBlue. In order to make this work, businesses globally need to join together for a low-carbon future.
JetBlue is joining The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials as renewable biofuels will become increasingly more important for aviation to continue to grow responsibly, Mendelsohn added. Science has given us drop-in bio-fuels, which means there will be no change to our engines or systems and no compromise to safety. There are no silver bullets when it comes to finding the right biofuel, so we are reaching out for partners; we are all in this together.
In 2016, JetBlue began actively exploring the purchase of biofuel options for commercial use and was the only airline to sign the White Houses 2015 American Business Act on Climate Pledge, highlighting its support for an international climate agreement toward a low-carbon, sustainable future. JetBlue also pledged to reduce global emissions from commercial air travel in partnership with aircraft and engine manufacturers, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others.
RSB (@rsb_org) is the worlds strongest standard for sustainable biofuels. JetBlue is a leader in global aviation and by joining RSB, JetBlue is further demonstrating its leadership by committing to using sustainable fuels in its operations, said Rolf Hogan, executive director, The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials. We look forward to seeing other airlines follow JetBlues commitment and leadership by becoming members of RSB.
JetBlue has already pledged to:
- Support and invest in new technology to decrease flight emissions through more efficient operations. JetBlue has already committed approximately $20 million for mandated technology and will continue to supplement that effort for additional investment of $30 million for capabilities in data and long-range satellite based communications to improve flying efficiency. With these investments JetBlue aims to save over 500,000 gallons of fuel burn per year within 30% of our schedule operation. This objective and more emissions savings will be possible if the Federal Aviation Administration complements our investment with infrastructure, procedural changes and controller training in the Caribbean region.
- Act on and contribute to industry-wide goals to improve fuel efficiencyby 1.5% per year from 2009 to 2020; target a cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth); and reduce net aviation CO2 emissions of 50%by 2050, relative to 2005 levels.
- Develop a bio-fuels commitment in 2017 for use in our regular commercial operations in the future.
- Transition our wholly-owned ground service equipment to electric ground service equipment where it is safe for our airport operations
RSB verifies that biomaterials are ethical, sustainable and credibly-sourced. Choosing RSB-certified biomaterials helps supports a healthy bio-based community. For more on JetBlues work in this area visit jetblue.com/green.
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