The Dutch company SkyNRG, a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), has officially launched its ground-breaking "Board Now" programme together with its launching members. By committing themselves to Board Now, companies can reduce their own business air travel emissions and at the same time contribute to the development of a new production facility for SAF in the Netherlands.
According to SkyNRG, Board Now is one of the first programmes in the world that enables companies to contribute directly to the development of the sustainable aviation fuel industry and actively paves the way for the energy transition in the aviation sector.
Organizations that join Board Now, such as PwC and Skyscanner that have already signed up, commit themselves for a period of five years to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With this commitment, they not only reduce their own business air travel carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but also contribute to the development of a new production facility.
Their investment will be used by SkyNRG to cover the current price difference between SAF and conventional jet fuel. The coalition that participates in the Board Now programme, ensures a substantial purchase of SAF that will be produced by Europe’s first dedicated plant for the production of SAF in Delfzijl (DSL-01).
Earlier this year, centennial KLM Royal Dutch Airlines already committed itself to the purchase of 75 000 tonnes per annum of SAF from DSL-01.
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 percent 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, said Renate de Lange, a member of the Board of Directors of PwC Netherlands.
A flying start
With the launch of Board Now with PwC and Skycanner as launching members, the programme is officially launched with a flying start. Moreover, a number of leading organizations have joined Board Now as partners including the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the ClimateWorks Foundation, South Pole, Vertis Environmental Finance and the Climate Neutral Group.
The latter three organizations develop projects to enable companies to compensate for their own CO2 emissions, in addition to CO2 reduction. These parties support the programme by helping further growth of Board Now by providing access to knowledge and networks and by creating marketing opportunities.
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. We are very proud that these organizations have boarded our program as launching members or partners. Their commitment and support are 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 inspiring other international organizations as well to follow in the footsteps of our launching members and partners, said Theye Veen, Managing Director of SkyNRG.
85 percent CO2 reduction
The DSL-01 plant in Delfzijl will have an annual capacity to produce 100 000 tonnes of SAF. This will mean a CO2 reduction of over 270 000 tonnes a year for the aviation industry. Sustainable aviation fuel can provide for a CO2 reduction of at least 85 percent, compared to conventional jet fuel.
The use of SAF will also contribute to a significant decrease in ultra-fine particles and sulphur emissions.
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 RSB, the highest possible certification standard for sustainable fuels.
