Mary-Louise Hoffman
Boeing, South African Airways and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials will collaborate to encourage small farm owners to produce environmentally-sustainable crops for biofuel use.
The alliance will offer training programs designed to help South African farmers become certified biofuel feedstock growers, Boeing said Wednesday.
Boeing has launched a similar effort with RSB in Southeast Asia and is working with SAA to establish a biodiesel supply chain framework for the South African aviation sector.
“A sustainable aviation biofuel industry presents a chance for this smallhold farming community to pursue economic development opportunities that would positively impact their livelihood,” said Lianne Stein, Boeing vice president for global corporate citizenship.
“As part of Boeing’s efforts to build better communities worldwide, we are working to ensure positive outcomes for the environment and, most importantly, for the people of Southern Africa,” Stein added.
According to Boeing, aviation biofuel emits between 50 and 80 percent less carbon than petroleum fuel.
The industry has carried out more than 1,500 passenger flights using sustainable biodiesel products to date.
