Boeing is joining a global sustainability alliance established by the United States Government and World Economic Forum as the representative of the aviation sector.

Boeing joins the First Movers Coalition

In late 2021, the First Movers Coalition (FMC) was created. Its goal is "to leverage the purchasing power of major companies to speed up the pace of decarbonizing industrial sectors such as shipping, chemicals and trucking." A founding member of the coalition, Boeing will represent the aviation sector in this global alliance. Part of Boeing's responsibility in this global alliance is to be a supporter of the expansion of creation and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and advance other low-carbon technologies. The aviation sector has a worldwide goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and as part of the FMC, Boeing will play an integral role in the achievement of this goal.

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Boeing is at the forefront of the aviation industry's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Photo: Boeing

In addition to the goal of net-zero emissions, there is a goal to hold global temperatures to 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels, or the '1.5 °C pathway'.

“We can only maintain the critical climate pathway of 1.5ºC if we jumpstart the market for disruptive zero-carbon technologies and make them as economically competitive as existing carbon-intensive solutions. I congratulate Boeing for its new championship role and look forward to working together on driving the need for and accelerating the use of these emerging technologies.” - Nancy Gillis, Head of the First Movers Coalition

Boeing "will leverage current technologies and increase industry partnerships in expanding sustainable aviation fuel supplies, while shaping strategies for developing new solutions."

"We are honored to serve as ‘champion’ for our sector and committed to partnering with FMC members and others on scaling SAF and accelerating low-carbon technologies to decarbonize aviation." - Brian Moran, Boeing Vice President of Global Sustainability Policy & Partnerships.

Team recruitment

As one of Boeing's first steps, the aircraft manufacturer has recruited a leading expert in SAF to work with the First Movers Coalition, which comprises more than 50 companies. Robert Boyd is joining the Boeing team after leading decarbonization efforts at the International Air Transport Association. Additionally, Boyd oversaw the advancement of the commercial deployment of SAF. His resume does not end there. Boyd addressed policy, economic, sustainability, and logistical challenges, served as a member of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Fuels Task Group, and served for four years on the Board of Directors for the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

“Boeing has been a pioneer in making SAF a reality and having Robert join our team is further proof that we are 100% committed to working together to meet the industry’s net-zero emissions commitment by 2050." - Brian Moran, Boeing Vice President of Global Sustainability Policy & Partnerships.

Wider role

Boeing's role in the FMC builds on its evident commitments to sustainability, the most notable being the ecoDemonstrator program. In 2018, Boeing operated the world's first commercial airplane flight powered by SAF onboard a 777 Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express. Boeing has also partnered with multiple companies in the aviation industry to decarbonize aerospace, Its partners include SkyNRG, Alaska Airlines, Etihad Airways, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and United Airlines.