Boeing highlights increased environment focus

Citation

(2008), "Boeing highlights increased environment focus", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780eaf.004

Boeing highlights increased environment focus

Article Type: Features From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 5

The Boeing Company recently released its 2008 Environment Report, detailing its performance, strategy and actions to reduce its environmental footprint and lead the aerospace industry with environmentally progressive products and services.

“Climate change and pollution are serious global concerns,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “Recognising that, Boeing has set a clear strategy to help protect our eco-system. Our greatest contributions will continue to come from innovation - delivering improved environmental performance for customers while relentlessly reducing our own footprint.”

Boeing claims a record of integrating environmental performance improvements through technology advancements. Over the last 40 years, aeroplane emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70 per cent and the noise footprints have been reduced by approximately 90 per cent. Boeing targets improving fuel efficiency of each new generation of commercial aeroplane by 15 per cent compared to the aeroplanes they replace.

“It’s a good record, but it’s clear we need to accelerate our efforts”, said McNerney. “Because of the tremendous benefits aerospace brings to the world, our industry - and our company with it - is growing, and we are focused on achieving carbon-neutral growth and then continued reductions.”

The 2008 Environment Report states that Boeing’s manufacturing operations have achieved significant improvements between 2002 and 2007. On a revenue-adjusted basis, Boeing has reduced energy use and carbon dioxide emissions at its major facilities by 24 per cent and hazardous waste by 30 per cent. On an absolute basis, the reductions are 5 per cent for energy use, 4.8 per cent for carbon dioxide emissions and 12 per cent for hazardous waste.

Some highlights of Boeing’s work with environmentally progressive technologies include:

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  The world’s first flight of a commercial aeroplane powered in part by biofuels, in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic Airways and GE Aviation. Boeing is focused on research for advanced generations of sustainable biofuels using biomass that do not compete with food crops or water resources.

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  The world’s first straight-and-level flight of a manned aeroplane powered only by a fuel-cell. The research may benefit secondary aircraft system power use.

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  Delivery of world-record holding solar cells by Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab, Inc. to an Australian customer to power a 154MW power station.

The 2008 Environment Report highlights that Boeing is now targeting a further 25-per cent revenue-adjusted reduction of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, with similar goals for recycling and hazardous waste.