Viva Energy today celebrated the first flight utilising its new carbon neutral jet fuel product, Carbon Neutral Jet A-1, for a flight from Cairns to Weipa.
The inaugural flight, in partnership with Viva Energy customer Alliance Airlines, delivered fly-in-fly-out workers on a 90-minute trip from Cairns Airport, offsetting 14.5 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Climate Active has certified the fuel is carbon neutral via Viva Energy purchasing carbon credits to offset the carbon dioxide footprint of the fuel from oil extraction right through to manufacture and eventual end use. Climate Active is an ongoing partnership between the Australian Government and Australian businesses to drive voluntary climate action by certifying companies and products as carbon neutral.
Viva Energy hopes that through the development of Carbon Neutral Jet A-1 fuel and the carbon offset initiative, it will be able to assist customers to achieve their sustainability objectives and provide passengers a sustainable alternative when flying.
“We are aware that air travel is a contributor to global emissions and that the industry, through IATA, has put in place an ambitious and robust carbon emissions strategy,” said Nick Adams, Viva Energy Aviation Business Manager. “To support our customer’s emissions reduction ambitions and as a trusted fuel partner to several major airlines, Viva Energy is invested in developing solutions that can support their aims.”
There are a range of strategies to reduce emissions in the aviation sector. Airlines are already flying more fuel-efficient planes, but while lower emission products like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are yet to be commercial or reach scale, Viva Energy’s carbon neutral fuel can play an important role through offsetting the emissions from traditional jet fuel.
This reflects Viva Energy’s own ambitions to transition to more sustainable energy sources and to be a more sustainable business overall.
Through the Carbon Neutral Jet A-1 project, Viva Energy is supporting a diverse range of carbon offset projects through the purchase of carbon credits. In this case, the credits supported wind-power projects in India and a West Arnhem Land fire-abatement project in Australia, but in future they could come from anywhere in the world, supporting a cleaner future.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said Viva Energy’s Carbon Neutral A-1 fuel demonstrated a strong commitment to pursue a shared purpose for carbon emissions.
“We congratulate Viva Energy for its vision in developing a carbon neutral jet fuel to support our aviation partners and their emissions reduction and sustainability objectives,” Mr Barker said. “Viva Energy’s proactive investment in developing solutions supports the aims of our aviation community and is consistent with the Airport’s own journey towards becoming carbon neutral.”
“As more people become aware of the impact air travel has on the environment, we will see a growing expectation that airlines and fuel producers do more to address that question – and that is exactly what Viva Energy has done with Carbon Neutral Jet A-1,” Mr Barker said.
Alliance Airlines Chief Executive Officer Lee Schofield said: “We are pleased to participate in this initiative together with Viva Energy and Cairns Airport. Viva Energy has been Alliance’s preferred fuel and lubricants supplier since it commenced operations and its Carbon Neutral Jet A-1 is an exciting development in our long-term partnership. We congratulate them on the initiative and look forward to offering our customers a viable carbon neutral fuel product.”
Find out more about Viva Energy’s Carbon Neutral Jet A-1 fuel by visiting climateactive.org.au/buy-climate-active/certified-members/viva-energy-aviation
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About Viva Energy
Viva Energy (ASX: VEA) is one of Australia’s leading energy companies and supplies approximately a quarter of the country’s liquid fuel requirements. It is the exclusive supplier of high-quality Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia through an extensive network of more than 1,330 service stations across the country.
Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery in Victoria, and operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 terminals and 55 airports and airfields across the country.
www.vivaenergy.com.au