(HOLLAND)
Staff from a Dutch university are joining an initiative by airline KLM aimed at accelerating the use of aviation biofuels.
KLM flights taken by academics from Delft University of Technology over the next 24 months will use biofuels. It is part of the airline’s Corporate BioFuel Programme (CBP) where participant organisations can reduce their emissions by about 10% per flight.
KLM is the only European carrier currently offering intercontinental flights that include a percentage of sustainable biofuel. The company will reinvest money raised through the CBP to reduce the gap in price between standard fuel and sustainable biofuel, which costs three times more at present.
“By joining the Corporate BioFuel Programme, the Delft University of Technology wishes to emphasise the importance of sustainable civil aviation,” said Tim van der Hagen, chairman of the university’s board of supervisors. “Alongside our research into sustainable biofuels – including the development of bio-jet fuels – we believe it’s important that our staff fly as sustainably as possible.”
KLM CEO Pieter Elbers added: “I’m very glad that the Delft University of Technology has decided to join our Corporate BioFuel Programme,” said KLM CEO Pieter Elbers. “I hope that other Dutch companies follow the example of the university and our current partners in the Programme and join in. It is essential to work with a variety of partners such as aircraft manufacturers, air traffic controllers, and airports so we can achieve real results and make the airline industry more sustainable.”
KLM wants to cut its CO2 emissions by 20% in 2020, from its 2010 figures.