United Airlines recently renewed its biofuel contract with World Energy.
United signed its first contract in 2013. Under the renewal, the airline will purchase up to 10 million gallons of aviation biofuel over the next two years.
“Investing in sustainable aviation biofuel is one of the most effective measures a commercial airline can take to reduce its impact on the environment,” Scott Kirby, United’s president, said. “As leaders in this space, United and World Energy are setting an example for the industry on how innovators can work together to bring our customers, colleagues, and communities toward a more sustainable future.”
The airline uses the biofuel for flights departing its Los Angeles hub.
United has set the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2050 from its 2005 levels.
United is the only U.S. airline using biofuel in its regular operations. This contract represents more than 50 percent of commercial aviation’s total agreements to sustainable aviation biofuel.
Biofuel achieves a more than 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
World Energy produces its biofuel from agricultural waste. The company has a sustainability certification from the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials.
Newsweek named United its top global carrier in the Global 500 Green Rankings last year.