IAG is said to be the first airline group to commit to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Credit: © British Airways.

British Airways and Aer Lingus parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) has utilised renewable fuels firm Aemetis to secure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for its flights at San Francisco Airport (SFO) in California, US.

According to the multi-year agreement reached in this regard, IAG will procure 78,400t of clean fuel over a period of seven years.

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This will power British Airways and Aer Lingus flights starting from 2025 and is expected to help offset up to 248,000t of carbon emissions.

IAG Sustainability head Jonathon Counsell said: “SAF is key to decarbonising aviation and IAG has to date committed $865 million in SAF purchases and investments.

“We see great potential to develop a long-term partnership with Aemetis, which is at the cutting edge of producing low carbon biofuels from sustainable wastes.”

IAG is said to be the first airline group to pledge to the 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal and the first European carrier to commit to utilising SAF for 10% of its fuel by the end of this decade.

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The SAF will be produced at Aemetis’ Carbon Zero plant, presently in the development phase in Riverbank, California, which will be driven by renewable electricity.

The facility will sequester CO₂ from the production process, thereby reducing the fuel’s carbon intensity.

Aemetis chairman and CEO Eric McAfee said: “Sustainable aviation fuel continues to be shown to be a great solution to decarbonise aviation and can be used in existing aircraft engines.

“IAG is continuing to take a leadership position by the conversion of their fuel supply to the use of sustainable fuels. Our production of SAF in California is supported by the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, creating new investment and jobs in disadvantaged minority communities in the state.”

In April, Aemetis received an order to deliver 125 million gallons of blended SAF to JetBlue.

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