‘Aviation Climate Solutions’ Highlights Company's Green Teams And Renewable Fuels Agreement

Two Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. sustainability initiatives have been recognized in Aviation Climate Solutions, a collection of 100 examples highlighting how the aviation industry is collaborating to cut carbon dioxide emissions and help reduce the industry’s impact on climate change. The publication includes Gulfstream Green Teams and Gulfstream’s recent renewable fuels agreement with World Fuel Services Inc.

“We are committed to the business aviation industry’s sustainability goals for carbon-neutral growth, fuel-efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions reductions, and we are breaking new ground with the industry’s first agreement to obtain renewable fuels for use on a day-to-day basis,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Our sustainability strategy also focuses on protecting the communities where our employees live and work, and to that end, we empower them to act as stewards of the environment and champions of Gulfstream’s sustainability efforts.”

Gulfstream’s Green Teams were established in 2012 to address sustainability efforts at strategic and tactical levels. The teams help implement Gulfstream’s sustainability strategy across operations, which includes reducing energy use, solid and hazardous waste, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. These employee-driven groups that now involve more than 500 individuals are also encouraged to spread awareness of Gulfstream’s sustainability goals throughout the company.

In May 2015, Gulfstream and its fuel supplier, World Fuel Services Inc., finalized a three-year agreement that provides Gulfstream with a consistent supply of renewable fuels for its daily flight operations in Savannah. The fuel is a 30/70 blend of low-carbon, drop-in renewable fuel and Jet-A. It provides the same performance as conventional, petroleum-based jet fuel and requires no changes to factory-standard engines or aircraft. Each gallon of renewable fuel burned is expected to achieve a more-than-50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, relative to petroleum-based jet fuel, on a lifecycle basis.

“Aviation plays a vital role in the world economy, providing connectivity for people and business,” said Michael Gill, executive director of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), the cross-industry association that published the report. “Our industry has also taken a lead in climate action, putting in place a comprehensive framework and goals to reduce emissions from air transport. The Aviation Climate Solutions are a set of case studies showing how different parts of the industry all over the world, including Gulfstream, are working together to reduce our climate impact.”

Aviation Climate Solutions was released at the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva, alongside an open letter from industry chief executives that reaffirms the industry’s commitment to climate action and calls on governments to support it with the development of a global market-based measure for aviation emissions, improved efficiency in air traffic management and accelerating research for alternative fuels and new technology.

“Gulfstream is honored to be recognized by ATAG,” Burns said. “We continue to build on these efforts and look for new ways to integrate sustainability into our business.”

FMI: www.enviro.aero/climatesolutions