As part of reducing fossil carbon dioxide emissions from its own business travel by air, Swedavia has, for the second year in a row, invited other actors to a coordinated procurement of biofuel. SOS Alarm, the Port of Gothenburg, the 2030 Secretariat and the county administrative boards of Västernorrland, Halland County and Gotland County are participating in this year's procurement.
For many companies and organizations, flying is essential. It is equally important to be able to travel as climate-efficiently as possible. Swedavia has therefore been inviting companies and organizations to participate in a coordinated procurement since 2019, where companies and organizations can participate and bid on a contract for biofuel that Swedavia procures. The aim is for more companies and organizations to reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions from their own business flights and to promote large-scale production of biofuel – something that is important for the aviation industry's climate transition.
– Aviation creates great value by making it possible for people to travel long distances in a time-efficient way. At the same time, the entire transport sector, including aviation, needs to become fossil-free in the long term. The companies, organizations and public services that participate in this procurement are both significantly reducing emissions from their own air travel and are exemplary by showing that it is already possible to fly almost fossil-free today, says Jonas Abrahamsson, President and CEO of Swedavia.
This year, the Port of Gothenburg, SOS Alarm, the County Administrative Board of Västernorrland, the County Administrative Board of Halland County, the County Administrative Board of Gotland County and the 2030 Secretariat are participating in the procurement. This is twice as many partners as last year. In total, the procurement approximately 100 tons of biofuel, which is equivalent to 1,100 round-trip flights from Stockholm to Amsterdam. As the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on business travel, this year's volume is approximately half that of the previous year.
– The Covid-19 pandemic has had very dramatic effects on the aviation industry, but also on the economy in general. However, society's climate transition must continue. It is therefore very pleasing that the number of actors who see the value in investing in sustainable air travel is actually increasing this year, despite the pandemic, says Jonas Abrahamsson.
The agreement is valid from July 2021 through June 2022 and there is the possibility of making multiple call-offs during the agreement period.
Since 2016, Swedavia has annually purchased biofuel equivalent to the company's own business flights. Biofuel reduces fossil carbon dioxide emissions by up to 85 percent from a life cycle perspective compared to traditional aviation fuel. Alternative fuels, together with electrification and energy efficiency, are some of the keys to the aviation industry's climate transition. Through more fuel-efficient engines, lighter aircraft and more efficient ways of flying, carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometer have decreased by over 80 percent over the past 50 years. This development must continue.
Facts
The market for biofuels is still immature and the price of the fuel is significantly higher than conventional fossil jet fuel. One factor currently driving the high price is that demand is greater than supply.
The biofuel is produced from residual waste such as used frying oil and slaughterhouse waste. Air bp is the fuel supplier. The biofuel will be mixed with regular aviation fuel up to 50 percent and refueled at one of Swedavia's airports during the contract period.
The goal is to promote the most sustainable biofuel alternatives available on the market from all aspects. All parties involved in the procurement have themselves estimated a volume and the first call-off and delivery are planned to take place at the end of 2021.
The investment in biofuel is part of Swedavia's strategy to work towards the aviation industry's climate transition and fossil-free aviation by 2045. An important milestone in the work is that all ten of Swedavia's airports have been fossil-free in their own airport operations since the turn of the year. Swedavia now aims to involve more actors at the airports so that the airports will eventually be completely fossil-free.
Facts about the procurement
• The procurement was led by Swedavia in the spring of 2021 and resulted in a 1-year agreement.
• In autumn/winter 2021/2022, Swedavia will invite new framework agreement procurement for an agreement period over 2022-2023 - with the aim of engaging more organizations to purchase sustainable biofuel.
• Swedavia purchases biofuel that covers the fuel needs for Swedavia's business flights. Today, it is permitted to fly with up to 50 percent biofuel, and the reduction from the fuel we use is closer to 85 percent from a life cycle perspective.
• The biofuel is purchased as a service and refueled at one of Swedavia's 10 airports. This provides an actual reduction in carbon dioxide from a life cycle perspective for the fuel, meaning it is not a matter of climate compensation.
• In accordance with current fuel requirements, the fuel is blended with traditional fuel and used in existing aircraft technology and airport infrastructure.
