Cepsa and Vueling, The airline belonging to the IAG group signed an agreement today to accelerate the decarbonisation of air transport through the research and production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF for English acronym). The development of these sustainable fuels is a priority for both companies as a means to continue to reduce the carbon footprint of air transport and contribute to the fight against climate change and the realization of the 2030 Agenda.
These fuels will be produced from circular raw materials that do not compete with food, such as spent cooking oils, animal waste for non-food use, or biodegradable waste from different industries, allowing to reduce aircraft emissions. up to 80% compared to conventional kerosene.
The Alliance is also considering: development of new energy alternativesSuch as green hydrogen and electrification for Vueling’s ground fleets (vehicles for supply, baggage loading and unloading or aircraft assistance, etc.).
At the signing of this new alliance to promote sustainable aviation, Cepsa Commercial and Clean Energies Director Carlos Barrasa said: sustainable. It is a privilege to walk this path together with our customers who share our commitment to the fight against climate change and sustainable mobility.”.
Vueling CEO Marco Sansavini said, “Vueling’s commitment to the environment is complete. We are part of IAG, the first airline group in the world to commit to achieving net zero carbon emissions through the Flight Path Net Zero program in October 2019. This cooperation with Cepsa reinforces the collaborative work we need to do together to find a viable and sustainable solution for air transport, which is very important for a country where 80% of tourists travel by air.”
This is an agreement in line with the European Commission’s Fit for 55 set of measures, which includes the ‘RefuelEU Aviation’ legislative initiative, whose aim is to promote aviation biofuels in the European Union. 2% in 2025, 5% in 2030 and 63% in 2050. Similarly, this alliance supports several of the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (ensures access to affordable, safe, sustainable and modern energy), SDG 8 (promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work), SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) and SDG 13 (immediate action to combat climate change and its effects).
This new agreement with a reference airline reinforces the aim of Cepsa, one of the main manufacturers and suppliers of aviation fuels in the Spanish market, to become a benchmark in the clean energy sector and pioneer the decarbonisation of air transport. As part of its new strategic plan, Positive Motion, the company is developing an ecosystem focused on accelerating the process. decarbonization from industrial customers, air and sea transport, and the company itself, through the production of green molecules, primarily renewable hydrogen and biofuels. Cepsa aims to lead the production of biofuels in Spain and Portugal with an annual production of 2.5 million tons by 2030, focusing in particular on promoting the sustainability of air traffic and producing 800,000 tons of SAF per year.
The company has set an ambitious roadmap to cut its targets. emissionsis among the leading companies in its sector. Specifically, it will reduce CO2 emissions (scopes 1 and 2) by 55% by 2030 compared to 2019 and aim to be carbon neutral before 2050. As for Scope 3, the carbon intensity of its products will be reduced by 15 to 20. Cepsa wants to go beyond net zero and make a positive impact by adding value to the communities it is in, by allowing its customers and other stakeholders to move in the right direction.
Vueling frames this alliance within its sustainability plan. The company develops all of its actions within the framework of the Flightpath Net Zero program, which sets the target of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Within the scope of IAG, the airline shares its vision of leading the field of sustainability in the global aviation industry. In particular, IAG became the first airline group in Europe to commit to operating 10% of its flights on sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.
Vueling has 25 Airbus 320 NEOs, a next-generation aircraft that reduces CO2 emissions by 18% compared to the predecessor A320ceo. In addition, since 2013 the company has acquired shark dogs in 78% of its fleet. aerodynamic devices placed on the tips of the wings, reducing emissions by 4%. Likewise, the company is developing different initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint by reducing the weight of aircraft. Since 2019 it has replaced all seats in its fleet with a lighter model, and in 2020 it has digitized all of its aircraft documentation. These measures have succeeded in reducing fuel consumption by more than 13,000 tons per year, equivalent to about 40,000 tons of CO2.