How Boeing’s ‘SAF&’ strategy is laying the foundation for sustainable flying
Jul 11, 2024
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Boeing's Chief Sustainability Officer, Brian Moran, discusses the company's SAF& strategy focusing on sustainable aviation fuel, innovative technologies, and regaining trust. He highlights Boeing's Cascade model, advancements in SAF, investments in future technologies, and involvement in the eVTOL space. Moran addresses Boeing's challenges, emphasizing safety and sustainability.
Boeing prioritizes Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology for all aircraft by 2030.
Cascade model aids in assessing decarbonization strategies through various energy carriers' contributions.
Boeing collaborates globally for regional SAF production, emphasizing sustainable feedstock and equitable access.
Deep dives
Boeing's Commitment to Sustainability and Technology Innovations
Boeing emphasizes its dedication to sustainable aviation by prioritizing the development and use of technology like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The company aims to be at the forefront of SAF advancements, committing to having all airplanes SAF-compatible by 2030.
The Importance of the Cascade Climate Impact Model
Boeing highlights the significance of the Cascade Climate Impact Model, a tool that informs decarbonization strategies through fleet renewal, operational efficiency, renewable energy integration, advanced technology adoption, and market-based measures. This model helps assess the different energy carriers' contributions to emissions reduction.
Regional Initiatives and Scaling SAF Production
Boeing collaborates globally to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production regionally, partnering with companies like Sky Energy and the Wagner Corporation. Efforts in countries like Australia and Brazil focus on developing domestic SAF production capabilities, emphasizing sustainable feedstock and energy sources.
Addressing Equity and Global Supply Chain in SAF Adoption
The discussion delves into ensuring equity and access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) globally. Regulators and organizations like RSB work towards establishing transparent systems like book and claim to ensure credible SAF usage, promoting fairness and emission reduction across regions.
Balancing Growth and Net Zero Emissions in Aviation
Boeing navigates the challenge of reconciling growth in aviation with achieving net-zero emissions. The company emphasizes the importance of sustainability and safety in building trust, highlighting the critical role of technological advancements, policy frameworks, and collaborative efforts in addressing environmental impacts.
Future Outlook and Celebratory Achievements
A year from now, hopeful celebrations include tripled global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply, groundbreaking updates to the Cascade model, symbolic of game-changing progress. Additionally, the vision includes achieving significant strides in re-earning trust and demonstrating Boeing's commitment to sustainability and industry excellence.
In this episode, we talk to Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boeing, who shares the company’s multifaceted approach to decarbonising the aviation industry, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), innovative technologies, and the importance of regaining trust in the wake of its recent crisis.
Moran discusses Boeing’s Cascade model, an open-source dynamic data modelling tool developed in partnership with MIT, Cambridge, IATA, and NASA, which helps stakeholders make informed decisions about the relative impact of different decarbonisation strategies. He also delves into Boeing’s role in advancing SAF, from de-risking the technology through test flights and research to committing to delivering 100% SAF-compatible aircraft by 2030.
Further, Moran highlights Boeing’s investments in future technologies, such as the electric propulsion flight demonstrator (EPFD) project with NASA and GE Aerospace, and the X-66 demonstrator aircraft featuring a transonic truss-braced wing. He also discusses the company’s involvement in the eVTOL space through their wholly-owned subsidiary Wisk, and how the lessons learned from this venture can be applied to the larger Boeing ecosystem. Moran also acknowledges the challenges Boeing has faced in recent years and emphasises the interconnectedness of safety and sustainability. He views Boeing’s current situation as an opportunity for open, transparent dialogue about the company’s shortcomings and remedial actions.
If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sheila Remes, Boeing’s VP of Environmental Sustainability, who shares how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation towards its 2050 net zero goal. Check it out here.
Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more. Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.
