Just in time for Christmas, the Fly Green Fund has delivered 46 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Swedish airports. It is contributions from climate conscious air travelers that, for the fourth year in a row, has made the deliveries possible and thus reduced the carbon impact from aviation.
The pandemic has drastically reduced travel. No one can say if or how COVID-19 will change the way we travel in the future. However, many see the current situation as an opportunity for a fresh start, one that is green and sustainable.
"Our will to travel is essentially good. Travelling not only enables trade and the spread of new technologies, but it also broadens perspectives and our understanding for other cultures. I am convinced that travel makes the world a safer and a more open place. Still, we need to recognize the impact travelling has on our climate and take action to mitigate it. An easy way to reduce emissions from flying is to buy sustainable aviation fuel," says David Hild, CEO of the Fly Green Fund.
Just like any other sector, aviation needs to step away from fossil fuels and instead turn to SAF to reach the climate goals. The challenge is not the existing fleet of airplanes, the planes are technically ready be fueled with SAF. The challenge is increasing the supply of the renewable fuel. Limited production means that the price of SAF is about three to four times higher than conventional fuel, which in turn limits the demand. However, more focus on the climate change has meant that more airlines are interested in investing in SAF. At the same time several countries have either decided on, or are looking at, implementing a blend-in mandate to increase the use of SAF and decarbonize aviation. As a result, the will to invest in SAF production facilities has increased and several new refineries are being built. With increased volumes being produced the price of SAF is expected to fall.
In 2020, the Fly Green Fund purchased the SAF from Air BP. The fuel is produced from 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials. In its neat form and over the lifecycle, it can reduce up to 80% of carbon emissions compared with conventional jet fuel it replaces. SAF undergoes the same quality tests as regular fossil jet fuel and may today be blended at up to 50% to fuel aircraft. The fuel is certified by ISCC guaranteeing that the fuel meets the criteria of EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
In 2020, the Fly Green Fund delivered to the three airports, Sundsvall-Timrå Airport, Helsingborg Ängelholm Airport and Kalmar Öland Airport. "What made this delivery extra special we were the first to deliver SAF to Sundsvall-Timrå Airport and Helsingborg Ängelholm," Hild explains.
A recently published report from the World Economic Forum concludes that decarbonizing aviation will be a challenge but far from impossible thanks to the wide variety of suitable feedstocks.
