Aviation
3.02.2021
 3 min read

Less Emissions and Pollution with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Jeremy Baines, President of Neste US, participated in the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum to discuss the role of sustainable aviation fuel in solving the root cause of climate change by providing a solution that is available today.

People - customers, voters, and employees - want climate action. Businesses are responding with climate plans and governments are progressing policies to reduce emissions. The aviation industry is no exception, with some airlines even aiming for carbon neutral production.

The answer is simple. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) must play a role. The truth is, hydrogen and electrification will not be an option for decades to come. SAF, which reduces emissions up to 80 percent and is compatible with existing jet engines, can enable the industry to stop burning fossil fuels right now. 

Neste is guided by a purpose to create a healthier planet for our children, and is committed to combating climate change and driving the circular economy with renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel products. By bringing more SAF to the market, Neste is doing its part and encouraging policy makers to incentivize its use.

During a recent panel with the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum, Jeremy Baines, President of Neste US, joined industry leaders to share and discuss decarbonization and the future of aviation.  

It starts with taking action now. While Neste has been producing SAF for a decade, it recently experienced major growth in North America. Last year, Neste established a continuous supply of SAF to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and is fueling major airlines with sustainable aviation fuel, including JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and DHL Express. 

Airports can even take the next step in achieving their sustainability goals by enabling a circular economy and treating their restaurants’ waste as a resource. This is already happening at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. For passengers traveling through the airport, that means transactions for food are helping create a more sustainable future. By grabbing a bite, passengers and restaurants are, together, creating a resource used to make renewable fuels to fight climate change.  

Imagine a world where airlines are fueled by the airport’s waste. It’s a small switch with a big impact to create a healthier planet.

What is the Atlantic Council?

Driven by a mission of “shaping the global future together,” the Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that galvanizes US leadership and engagement in the world, in partnership with allies and partners, to shape solutions to global challenges.