What is sustainability?
Published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development, the Brundtland Report notes that “Sustainable development requires an integrated approach that takes into consideration environmental concerns along with economic development.” In other words, meeting the development needs of the world’s populations and, at the same time, taking into account a number of factors, including the environment, climate change and the well-being of future generations.
It is to continue on the road with insight, while growing and developing, taking into account the needs of people, the environment, climate change, and future generations.
Rewind: The history of Sustainability
The Industrial Revolution kicked off in the 18th century. This mechanization process has advanced exponentially and increasing efficient production has made more products available and affordable, so this has brought fast consumption habits with it. By the 1970s, the production-consumption balances began to be discussed and placed on the agenda. The concept of “sustainable development” in its current sense was presented for the first time in the Brundtland Report, in 1987.
Turkish Airlines and Sustainability
The International Organization for Standardization, ISO 26000: 2010, Guidance on Social Responsibility offered a meaningful addition to the UN’s definition of sustainability. Accordingly, “sustainable development” also included integrating the goals of high quality of life, health and well-being with social justice and maintaining the capacity to support all types of life throughout the world. These social, economic, and environmental goals are interconnected and mutually reinforcing: “Sustainable development can be considered as a way of expressing the broader expectations of society as a whole.”
We bring the values of Turkish Airlines to this perspective, focusing on human well-being as well as environmental, development, and management functions. As an airline, we are highly aware of the impact of the aviation industry on climate change; thus, one of the most important elements of our Sustainability Policy is “Combating Climate Change”. In addition to our measures regarding fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, we have always supported sustainable aviation fuel studies.
Now we have great news for our readers: As Turkish Airlines, we will use sustainable aviation fuel for the first time on the Istanbul (IST) – Paris (CDG) flight, on February 02, 2022. During the initial phase, we will use sustainable aviation fuel on a regular basis once per week!
On Sustainable Aviation Fuel
What is Sustainable aviation fuel?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a type of fuel obtained by blending traditional kerosene (petroleum-based fuel products- (fossil-based) with renewable hydrocarbons. It is produced using sustainable raw materials and does not contain harmful heavy metals.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Reduced carbon emissions
Carbon emission can be referred to by different names such as “Sustainable Aviation Fuels – SAF,” biofuel, bio-jet fuel, or bio-aviation fuel (BAF) supported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Sustainable fuels are derived from plants or waste.
Why is Sustainable Aviation Fuel important?
Thanks to clean combustion via sustainable aviation fuel to be used by Turkish Airlines, up to an 87 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved compared to the same amount of conventional fossil jet fuel kerosene. In addition, the use of SAF can reduce harmful particles released by SOx and NOx emissions.
How do we do it?
A quick recap of the aviation fuel research and development activities mentioned above: TÜBİTAK supports the “Microalgae Based Sustainable Bio-Jet Fuel Project (MICRO-JET),” which Turkish Airlines is conducting with Boğaziçi University.
The good news: When the studies are completed, We aim to use the biofuel produced entirely from sustainable resources; engine tests will be performed by Turkish Technic Inc., by blending this biofuel with jet fuel and using it on our flights. Thus, Turkish Airlines will be one of the rare global companies using the cleanest type of biofuel accepted by the IATA.
Will environmentally friendly fuel be used for all flights?
We noted that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plays a key role in reducing the carbon emissions caused by the aviation industry. To further contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions, Turkish Airlines plans to use a sustainable biofuel mixture on flights between Istanbul Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as a starting point, and in subsequent processes at increasing frequencies and in different destinations.
