The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, which includes Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic, has drawn up a charter aimed at the development, certification and use of biofuels in conditions ‘respectful of the environment and of economic and social development’.
Signatories to the charter are committed to using only biofuels from renewable resources that do not compete with the agri-food sector or jeopardise supplies of drinking water, and which improve the economic conditions of local populations.
Their aim is to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while lessening commercial aviation's exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels.
The charter has been drawn up in co-operation with non-governmental organisations including the World Wildlife Fund and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
‘Air France pursues its commitment in favour of sustainable development in a way in which aviation can continue to play its fundamental role as a motor for human and economic development,’ said Jean-Cyril Spinetta, the airline’s chairman and chief executive.
‘In this way Air France actively supports this innovative programme for biofuels while preserving the environment and conserving food production.’
The signatories to the charter have announced two initial research projects. The first concerns the sustainable environmental qualities of the jatropha curcas plant and the socio-economic consequences of its production in developing countries. This project is being led by Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
The second, conducted by the NRDC, aims at ensuring that fuel produced from seaweed is compatible with the charter’s commitments.
Click here to see the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group’s charter in full (91KB pdf).
See also:
Dutch passengers ‘ripped off’ by Schiphol (14/08/08)
BA aims to unveil alternative fuel by March (14/07/08)
ICAO aims to standardise carbon calculations (06/06/08)
Virgin biofuel flight dismissed as publicity stunt (25/02/08)
Big order/green tie-up for Virgin and Boeing (25/04/07)