Board now leads the way towards sustainable flying

press release

 

 

 

• Launch of SkyNRG’s ground-breaking program paves the way to sustainable aviation;
• 85 per cent reduction of emissions as a result of sustainable aviation fuel

 

 

 

Amsterdam, October 3rd 2019 – Today, a significant step will be taken towards sustainable flying. Dutch company SkyNRG, global leader in sustainable aviation fuel, officially launches its ground-breaking Board Now program together with its launching members. By committing themselves to Board Now, companies reduce their own business air travel emissions and at the same time contribute to the development of a new production facility for sustainable aviation fuel. Board Now is the worlds first program that enables companies to contribute directly to the development of this industry and actively paves the way for the energy transition in the aviation sector. A number of renowned organizations, such as PwC and Skyscanner, have already signed-up to the program.

 

 

 

Organizations that join Board Now, commit themselves for a period of 5 years to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With this commitment, they not only reduce their own business air travel CO2 emissions, but also contribute to the development of a new production facility. Their investment will be used by SkyNRG to cover the price difference between sustainable aviation fuel and conventional jet fuel. The coalition that participates in the Board Now program, ensures a substantial purchase of SAF that will be produced by Europe’s first dedicated plant for the production of sustainable aviation fuel in Delfzijl (DSL-01). Earlier this year, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines already committed itself to the purchase of 75,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel from DSL-01 a year.

A flying start
With the launch of Board Now with PwC and Skycanner as launching members,  the program will be kicked-off with a flying start today. Moreover, a number of leading organizations has joined Board Now as partners: the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the ClimateWorks Foundation, South Pole, Vertis Environmental Finance and the Climate Neutral Group. The last three organizations develop projects to enable companies to compensate their own CO₂ emissions, in addition to CO₂ reduction. These parties support the program by helping further growth of Board Now by providing access to knowledge and networks and by creating marketing opportunities.

Renate de Lange, member of the Board of Directors of PwC Netherlands: “PwC is doing everything in its power to reduce its own business air travel emissions substantially. The purchasing of sustainable aviation fuel contributes to this. The use of SAF can deliver a CO₂ reduction of at least 85 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel. With our commitment to SkyNRG, we strengthen our strategy for sustainable business travel and we believe that this is a very important step towards sustainable flying”.

“With the support of renowned organizations participating in Board Now, that make a choice for sustainable business travels and an investment in SAF, we are able to accelerate the energy transition in aviation,” states Theye Veen, Managing Director at SkyNRG. “We are very proud that these organizations have boarded our program as launching members or partners. Their commitment and support is crucial in order to scale-up this industry and take the development of sustainable fuel worldwide to the next level. We are looking forward to inspire other international organizations as well to follow in the footsteps of our launching members and partners”.
 
85 per cent CO₂ reduction
The plant in Delfzijl, DSL-01, will annually produce 100,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel. This will mean a CO₂ reduction of over 270,000 tons a year for the aviation industry. Sustainable aviation fuel can provide for a CO₂ reduction of at least 85 per cent, compared to conventional jet fuel. The use of SAF will also contribute to a significant decrease in ultra-fine particles and sulphur emissions.

Sustainable fuel meets the highest sustainability standards
SkyNRG’s independent Sustainability Board advises on whether the fuel meets the highest sustainability standards. The Board includes representatives from WWF International, the European Climate Foundation, the Solidaridad Network and the University of Groningen. Furthermore, the sustainability of the chain and related products are ensured through certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the highest possible certification standard for sustainable fuels.
Rolf Hogan, Executive Director at RSB: “By facilitating organizations with tools to reduce their footprint, Board Now is a potential game-changer. As a proud partner of Board Now, RSB is ready to give wings to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel and to contribute to the battle against climate change”.

 

www.boardnow.org