ANGOAVIAÇÃO

The quest for clean technologies in aviation gained new impetus with the confirmation that Boeing will represent the US aerospace industry in the development of solutions that offer zero carbon in the medium term. The choice of Boeing comes amid an effort created by the White House, in conjunction with the World Economic Forum, to accelerate research into environmentally responsible technologies. The so-called First Movers Coalition (FMC) was created at the end of 2021 to increase the purchasing power of large companies and accelerate the pace of decarbonization of industrial sectors such as transport and chemicals.

Boeing is one of the founding members of the FMC and will represent the US aviation industry.Thus, the manufacturer undergoing a complex internal restructuring, especially in the commercial aviation sector, is committed to promoting the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and the advancement of other low-carbon technologies.The world’s leading aircraft manufacturers consider scaling up sustainable solutions critical to the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. One of the biggest climate issues today is keeping global temperatures 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. One of the fears is that greater global warming could generate a complex climate imbalance, putting the entire ecosystem, including humanity, at risk.

“We can only stay on track to 1.5°C if we drive the market for transformative zero-carbon technologies to be as financially competitive as today’s carbon-intensive solutions,” said Nancy Gillis, Chief Executive Officer of the First Movers Coalition. “Congratulations to Boeing on their new role as representative of the aviation sector. I look forward to working together to promote the importance and accelerate the use of these emerging technologies.”

Boeing will advance current technologies and increase industry partnerships to expand the supply of sustainable aviation fuel, while defining strategies for developing new solutions. Among the options studied by the aviation sector is the use of new materials in the construction of aircraft, refined aerodynamics, new concepts of air traffic management, among others.

“It is an honor to serve as a representative of our industry, committed to partnering with FMC members and other organizations to expand sustainable aviation fuels and accelerate low-carbon technologies to decarbonize aviation,” said Brian Moran, vice president of aviation. -President of Boeing’s Global Sustainability Policies and Partnerships.

Boeing has recruited a leading SAF expert to work with more than 50 First Movers Coalition companies and other industry partners. Robert Boyd leaves the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to join Boeing. At IATA, he led decarbonization work, including advancing the commercial implementation of the SAF and addressing political, economic, logistical and sustainability challenges.

Boeing bases its sustainability work, which includes the ecoDemonstrator program. The project made a number of advances, such as in 2018 it promoted the first commercial aircraft flight using 100% sustainable fuels, made by a 777F, from the FedEx Express freighter.

Last year, Boeing partnered with industry organizations to decarbonize the aerospace industry, including SkyNRG, Alaska Airlines, Etihad Airways, NASA, Rolls-Royce and United Airlines.

Another ongoing work is the use of hydrogen solutions, where Boeing has significant experience, having performed six diverse demonstrations with the technology in the last 15 years.