Etihad Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with net-zero solutions provider World Energy for a long-term partnership to decarbonise its flights through in-sector emissions reductions.
The Book & Claim MOU between Etihad and World Energy establishes the pending agreement between the two companies, which is a first-of-its-kind, long-term contract to supply an airline with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced in Los Angeles, California.
The announcement comes after the two companies powered the first net-zero flight, flying delegates to COP27 from Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi using SAF via a Book & Claim system.
The result was the elimination of approximately 226 tonnes of carbon related to Etihad’s regular routing flight from Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi during COP27.
The Book & Claim system is considered an efficient method to achieve carbon emission reductions in aviation and make meaningful progress toward achieving climate goals.
The NetZero flight is the latest in a series of ‘EcoFlights’ to test and prove a range of concepts since the airline launched its Greenliner program in 2020.
Etihad Airways Head of Sustainability & Business Excellence Mariam Alqubaisi said: “Our NetZero flight proved Book & Claim is the only feasible path to net-zero commercial aviation using current technology and is the transition framework required until the supply of sustainable aviation fuel reaches its maturity and availability.”
“Net-zero commercial aviation is possible, but we have to be honest as an industry and say there are significant logistical challenges to using SAF at present.”
Etihad is also the first commercial airline to participate in World Energy’s newly launched decarbonisation service for airline and corporate climate leaders to take real action to achieve net-zero goals.
Find out more at etihadaviationgroup.com/sustainability