The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP27, will take place in Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh between November 6 and 18. The irony that delegates fly in from all over the world (often on highly polluting private jets), adding tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, is hard to ignore. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, one of the flag airlines of the United Arab Emirates, says it will be flying delegates to the conference with net zero emissions.

Facing up to significant SAF logistical challenges

Etihad has partnered with sustainable fuel company and net-zero solutions provider World Energy to leverage enough SAF through a book-and-claim system (more on that below) equal to powering its Boeing 787 "Greenliner" flight from Washington Dulles (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH), routed via Sharm El Sheikh (SSH).

Mariam Alqubaisi, Head of Sustainability and Business Excellence at Etihad, stated,

“This initiative is about proving NetZero commercial aviation is possible, but equally facing up to the significant logistical challenges the industry faces to turn the possible into the routine. Etihad endeavors to make good on its rigorous commitment towards sustainable aviation through the Greenliner programme in partnership with Boeing, GE and other aviation leaders in 2020, followed by the addition of the Sustainabile50 programme in partnership with Airbus and Rolls Royce, coupled with our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and halving our net emission levels by 2035."

SAF to power other flights out of LAX

Etihad will buy (or book) SAF for the flight provided by fueling partner World Energy. However, the book-and-claim part of the equation means that the flight itself will operate on fossil-based Jet-A1 fuel. Meanwhile, the equivalent of the SAF that would have powered the flight will be delivered into the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) fuel system and used on flights by other airlines out of that airport.

The extra cost of the SAF will be absorbed via several mechanisms. Government subsidies will reduce the price by 50%, whereas Etihad's Corporate Conscious Choice will contribute 28%, and the airline's Etihad Guest Raffle 22%. The final 10% of the cost will be offset by tokenizing and trading CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) avoidance credits - possible due to this being the first transatlantic flight actively managing non-CO2 effects through contrail avoidance prediction and flight planning. There will be no additional charge to the passengers.

Gene Gebolys, Chief Executive Officer of World Energy, commented on the collaboration with Etihad,

“Aviation is how the world connects but we are on a collision course as flying people and goods is one of the most carbon-intensive things humans do. Aviation is on an unsustainable trajectory as it is projected to continue to account for an ever-greater share of global carbon emissions. But there is a way off this course. The course correction will come from the fuel tank rather than the cockpit. Together, we can efficiently change the fuel we fly on so we can change the impact of flying. We are grateful to corporate leaders like Etihad who are paving the way to help make net-zero aviation a reality.”