Approach to sustainability

Guiding mission

We strive for a sustainable world, in which human activity is in harmony with the world’s ecosystems, while improving the overall quality of life. In such a world energy sources are renewable (in addition to energy savings and more efficient usage).In order to pre-empt the threat of man made global climate change, it is imperative to reduce GHG emissions quickly. In order to keep global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius, Greenhouse Gas emissions should be reduced by at least 80% in 2050.

Biomass Usage

For heat and electricity various renewable sources exist, such as solar, wind and geothermal. Given the global pressure on natural resources and land use, biomass should primarily be used for those activities that have no alternative: food, material use and selected fuel (aviation and heavy applications).

The challenge is to gracefully reconcile all legitimate claims on land usage. Biomass for material and fuel use will always displace some other use. We believe this is only admissible if ‘higher’ usage (living, food/feed production, high conservation area’s, leisure) is not displaced; if the side effects are far less negative than usage of fossil fuel and if food security and biodiversity are not sacrificed.

Biomass for aviation

The ideal biomass feedstock either uses existing residual and waste streams or high yield/low requirement energy crops. The two current routes both face challenges:

The road to sustainable aviation

SkyNRG believes the desired future can only be achieved by taking affirmative action today. Development of conversion technology is not our play. We can however create a market pull, enforce stringent sustainability requirements and support the shift to desired feedstock partners.

We therefore will:

closely monitor new technology developments

stimulate development of future gen. feedstock

create a market for the HRJ route and start building the infrastructure

SkyNRG recognizes it has embarked on a “road towards sustainable aviation”. We will learn and adept along the way – in a very dynamic field. Today’s choices are likely to be replaced by other choices in the near future; the best way to get there is to start with today’s choices.

The feedstock used will always adhere to stringent sustainability criteria:

formal certification standards

generic ‘do no harm’ and ‘do more good’ principles

approval from our sustainability board.

We do foresee using transitional feedstock – good for development of the infrastructure, truly sustainable at smaller volumes but at best only a small part of the total solution in 2050.

Start sustainable jet fuel market today

Conversion of organic oils and fats is the only route towards reasonable volumes today. Feedstock for this HRJ route should be selected carefully. The feedstock used will always adhere to stringent sustainability standards and should be part of the solution ‘in 2050’ albeit a small part of the total is admissible.

Sustainability and ‘part of the 2050 solution’ can only be determined at the specific plantation/estate level. We therefore do not work with a limited list.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB)

The RSB is a worldwide, multistakeholder initiative coordinated by the Energy Centre at EPFL in Lausanne. The RSB brings together farmers, corporations, NGOs, experts, governments, and inter-governmental agencies concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biofuel production and processing.

The mission of the RSB is to ensure that biofuels fulfill their promise of climate change mitigation, economic development and energy security, without causing environmental and/or social harm such as deforestation and food insecurity. The RSB Standard is laid down in a set of normative documents and guidelines. These cover the entire biofuel value chain from “farm to tank” and address the potential negative impact of biofuel production.

The core of the RSB Standard is a set of twelve principles and criteria. They outline the fundamental requirements for sustainable biofuel production, ranging from the consultation of local stakeholders and monitoring of greenhouse gas performance to the conservation of key ecosystems and the mitigation of food insecurity in the region of operation.

Currently the RSB is ‘operationalizing’ their framework for the auditing and certification of feedstock sources, production technologies and supply chains. Pilots are being conducted right now and the operational framework, plus access to auditing, is expected to become available end of 2010. (RSB Website)

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG)

The SAFUG was formed in September 2008 with support and advice from the world’s leading environmental organisations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The group strives to accelerate the development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels. Group members agree to contribute to the robust sustainability and certification regimes via the RSB global multi-stakeholder process.

The user group has pledged to consider only renewable fuel sources that ensure a drastic GHG reduction, minimise biodiversity impact, that require minimum land, water and energy to produce, and that don’t compete with food or fresh water resources. In addition, cultivation and harvesting of plant stock must generate socioeconomic value to local communities. (SAFUG Website)

Sustainability Board

An independent Sustainability Board will advise SkyNRG on sustainability issues related to the proposed feedstock and estate selections. The Sustainability board consists of two renowned NGO’s and an academic institute.