United Airlines and the San Francisco 49ers have jointly announced that the team has become the inaugural franchise in the NFL to acquire sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This initiative marks a significant initial effort to tackle emissions concerns, as the team has procured sufficient SAF to support its travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles for this Sunday’s game with United Airlines.
Sustainable aviation fuel serves as an alternative to traditional jet fuel, offering the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 85% over its entire lifecycle—from production to consumption—due to its derivation from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels. United’s SAF has received certification from an independent third party, confirming its compliance with various sustainability standards, including carbon intensity.
United Airlines was the pioneer in establishing a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without depending on voluntary carbon offsets, and continues to lead the U.S. aviation sector in the acquisition and utilization of SAF. In 2023, the airline has purchased a greater volume of sustainable fuel than any other U.S. airline and has implemented a blend of SAF at five airports across the U.S. and Europe, including San Francisco International Airport, which ranks among the highest in terms of locations for any U.S. airline.
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