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Gulf Air, along with Boeing and Honeywell's UOP, a refining technology developer, established a group to accelerate the development and commercialisation of sustainable new aviation fuels.
With support and advice from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group makes commercial aviation the first global transportation sector to voluntarily drive verifiable sustainability practices into its fuel supply chain.
The group's charter is to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while lessening commercial aviation's exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels.
The airlines supporting the sustainable fuels initiative include Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Continental Airlines, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, SAS and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
"We welcome the aviation sector's will to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and appreciate their efforts to ensure the sustainability of their biofuels sourcing," said Jean-Philippe Denruyter, WWF global bioenergy co-ordinator and steering board member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels.
"Gulf Air has always been a pioneering airline, and this agreement underlines our commitment to actually tackling climate change through the introduction of clean and green technologies," said Gulf Air CEO Bjšrn NŠf.
"Gulf Air's goals for innovation, sustainability, and greener flying are bold and comprehensive. By being actively involved in this biofuel initiative, Gulf Air believes it can play a key role in addressing today's environmental challenges, and help build a better future for our children, the local community and the world."
Gulf Air's chief strategy officer Tero Taskila, who is heading the biofuel initiative as part of the airline's newly-launched corporate social responsibility initiative agreed.
"Our long term CSR vision combines economic benefit with conservation and sustainability. The biofuel programme is one of our first initiatives towards achieving our vision which we hope in the long run will result in substantial return on investment for all the stakeholders," he said.
