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Geneva Airport is first to advance Carbon War Room-SkyNRG ‘Airport Approach’

New York, September 18, 2017 – International energy NGO Carbon War Room (CWR) and partner SkyNRG, the global market leader for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), announced today that Geneva Airport is the first to build upon the “Airport Approach” model. Geneva Airport’s collaboration with Finland-based refiner Neste, announced on September 13th, is the culmination of a partnership between Geneva Airport, CWR and SkyNRG, which focused on planning and preparing for the introduction of SAF for all aircraft operations at the airport.

In collaboration with Neste, Geneva Airport has committed to introduce sustainable and renewable jet fuel for aircraft operations, with a target of at least one percent of the annual jet fuel consumption starting late 2018. This collaboration marks Geneva’s transition into the implementation phase of the CWR and SkyNRG-initiated project. CWR and SkyNRG first brought their Airport Approach to Geneva Airport in 2015 with a mission to help airports play a more active role in accelerating the uptake of SAF.

André Schneider, CEO of Geneva Airport, commented:

As aviation is growing, airports have a crucial role in taking initiatives which aim at reducing environmental impact. Genève Aéroport is particularly pleased to work in this very ambitious project together with Neste, the Swiss authorities, airlines operating from Geneva, and locally established fuel companies in our pursuit of fossil neutral growth. We would not have reached this milestone without the vision of Carbon War Room and SkyNRG, who have supported us with project initiation, development and pursuit of funding during the preparatory phase of this project. We credit them for their pioneering contributions and practical guidance during that phase.”

We congratulate Geneva Airport on demonstrating great leadership with respect to decarbonising aviation and for being the first to actualise our Airport Approach model, said Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute-Carbon War Room. “These efforts are critical as the industry continues to grow in a world where we must limit temperature rise to well below 2 degrees. We wish Geneva Airport and Neste the best of luck in their collaboration and look forward to their success.”

 “We’re proud that together with Carbon War Room we’ve built a unique model, The Airport Approach, that will now help Geneva Airport to reach their ambitious 1% target. We congratulate Geneva Airport reaching the next phase of this exciting project. Now it is up to the locally established fuel companies to integrate renewable jet fuel into their supply chains in the most sustainable and cost-effective way.” says Theye Veen, CFO SkyNRG.

The implementation phase being entered into by Geneva Airport proves there is market momentum behind CWR and SkyNRG’s Airport Approach. The model, which was first developed by the partners in 2015, engages airports as key stakeholders in the future of SAF. The model introduces an airport-wide SAF blend utilizing existing fueling infrastructure, making SAF standard for all flights refueling at the airport. CWR and SkyNRG also collaborate with partner airports to identify and secure appropriate mechanisms to cover the cost premium of SAF based on the financial profile of the airport. This can include non-aeronautical airport revenues, operational cost savings from energy efficiency projects, government subsidies, policies, grants and sponsorship by local businesses. Most recently, CWR and SkyNRG joined with the Port of Seattle to announce recommendations for long-term funding mechanisms that could supply all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with SAF.

CWR and SkyNRG continue to work with other airports to make this approach business as usual. In addition to supporting with planning and funding, the partners work with airports on the implementation phase, including consensus building, and the identification of supply routes and sustainable feedstock.

 

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Nick Steel
E: nsteel@rmi.org

About Carbon War Room

Carbon War Room (CWR) was founded in 2009 as a global nonprofit by Sir Richard Branson and a group of like-minded entrepreneurs. It intervenes in markets to accelerate the adoption of business solutions that reduce carbon emissions at gigaton scale. In 2014, CWR merged with and now operates as part of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). RMI engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to transform global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

About SkyNRG

SkyNRG is the global market leader for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), having supplied over 25 airlines on all continents. SkyNRG sources, blends and distributes SAF, guarantees sustainability throughout the supply chain and helps to co-fund the premium. At the same time, SkyNRG focuses on developing regional supply chains that offer a real sustainable and affordable alternative to fossil fuels. SkyNRG has its operations RSB certified and is structurally advised by an independent Sustainability Board in which WWF International, European Climate Foundation, University of Groningen and Solidaridad Network hold a seat.

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