Etihad Airways has signed an MOU with Cepsa, a
Mubadala group company, to accelerate the decarbonization of air
transport by researching and producing sustainable aviation fuel
(SAF).
The fuel will be produced from circular raw
materials that do not compete with food resources, such as used
cooking oils, non-food animal waste or biodegradable waste from
various industries, and will make it possible to reduce aircraft
emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional kerosene.
The two companies will also work on the
development of new energy alternatives such as renewable hydrogen
and the electrification of Etihad’s ground fleets, which include
supply vehicles, baggage loading and unloading operations and
aircraft assistance.
The MOU is in line with the European Commission’s
Fit for 55 package, which includes a legislative initiative called
‘RefuelEU Aviation’ that aims to boost the supply and demand of
aviation biofuels in the European Union to 2% use by 2025, 5% by
2030 and 63% by 2050.
Maarten Wetselaar, CEO
of Cepsa, said, “Decarbonising air transport is one of the major
challenges of our times and Cepsa is committed to playing a
critical role in meeting that challenge alongside important
partners like Etihad. Partnerships like the one signed today
reinforce our determination to transform air travel into a more
sustainable mode of transport.”
As one of the main producers and suppliers of
aviation fuel in the Spanish market, this MOU helps to consolidate Cepsa’s aim
of becoming a leader in the
clean energy sector and to spearhead the decarbonization of air
transport.
As part of its Positive Motionn strategic plan, the company is developing an ecosystem focused on
accelerating the decarbonisation of industrial customers and air
and maritime transport, as well as the company itself, through the
production of green molecules, mainly renewable hydrogen and
biofuel.
Cepsa aspires to be the leading biofuel producer in
Spain and Portugal by 2030 and produce 2.5 million tons annually,
with a particular focus on the sustainability of air traffic by
producing 800,000 tons of SAF every year.
The company has established an ambitious roadmap
to cut its emissions. Specifically, by 2030, it will reduce its Scope 1 and
2 CO2 emissions by 55% and the carbon intensity index of its
energy products sales, which includes Scope 1, 2 & 3 by 15-20%.
By
2050, Cepsa wants to go beyond net zero and have a positive
impact, adding value in the communities where it operates by
enabling its customers and other stakeholders to move forward in
the right direction.
Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer, Etihad
Aviation Group, said, “Aviation decarbonization is the biggest
challenge facing our industry and the development of commercially
viable sustainable aviation fuel is a key requirement to meet the
industry sustainability target. Our MOU with Cepsa allows us to
tackle the first challenge, building demand for SAF, which in turn
encourages further production and increases availability to
eventually lower costs and enable further SAF uptake from the
wider industry. It’s a snowball effect, which is essential if
we’re to overcome the main challenges standing in the way to a
commercially viable solution.”
Etihad runs one of the most comprehensive, cross organisational aviation sustainability initiatives ever undertaken.
This umbrella programme, now in its third year, includes
partnerships with Boeing, GE, Airbus and Rolls Royce, as well as a
wide range of collaborations with pioneering new-technology organisations, academic researchers, smaller businesses and
start-ups.
Etihad’s flagship sustainability programmes include the
Greenliner programme using the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787
Dreamliners as flying test-beds, as well as the Sustainable50
A350-1000 launched earlier this year.
In addition to the airline’s comprehensive testing
and innovation programme, Etihad became one of the first airlines to
secure commercial finance based on verified compliance with the
Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN SDGs).
