NEW YORK, NY --(Marketwired - December 01, 2015) - JetBlue Airways (
"Today, President Obama announced JetBlue's participation in the American Business Act On Climate Pledge. JetBlue has joined with the White House and more than 150 U.S. companies to support the negotiations in Paris which seek to finalize a binding climate change agreement among all nations," said Robin Hayes, JetBlue's president and chief executive officer. "As the only commercial airline to sign this pledge, JetBlue has created a four-point 'BluePledge.' We are taking steps to build and maintain a sustainable future by lowering emissions where it is safe for our operations, developing a biofuel commitment in 2017 for use in our regular operations, investing in new technology that reduces fuel use and flight emissions and within our industry contributing to joint goals to improve fuel efficiency, ensuring carbon-neutral growth for our industry beginning in 2020."
The American Business Act on Climate Pledge:
We applaud the growing number of countries that have already set ambitious targets for climate action. In this context, we support the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
We recognize that delaying action on climate change will be costly in economic and human terms, while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy will produce multiple benefits with regard to sustainable economic growth, public health, resilience to natural disasters, and the health of the global environment.
The JetBlue 'BluePledge':
JetBlue applauds the growing number of countries that have already set ambitious targets for climate action. In this context, we support the conclusion of a climate change agreement in Paris that takes a strong step forward toward a low-carbon, sustainable future.
Aviation operates within the global business context and is preparing for global action on international aviation climate targets and measures to be taken at the 39th Assembly of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016. While not a direct part of the upcoming Conference of Parties negotiations in Paris, the airline industry has a vested interest in a strong outcome in Paris consistent with the industry's existing voluntary pledge to reduce global emissions from commercial air travel in partnership with aircraft and engine manufacturers, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others. JetBlue's goals to reduce emissions through flying technologies and biofuels research will be more easily achieved and less costly if the global political and business environment is supportive of and united behind a low-carbon future. We put forth our pledges as follows:
JetBlue pledges to:
- Support and invest in new technology to decrease flight emissions through more efficient operations. JetBlue has already committed approximately $20 million for mandated technology and will continue to supplement that effort for additional investment of $30 million for capabilities in data and long range satellite based communications to improve flying efficiency. With these investments JetBlue aims to save over 500,000 gallons of fuel burn per year within 30% of our schedule operation. This objective and more emissions savings will be possible if the Federal Aviation Administration complements our investment with infrastructure, procedural changes and controller training in the Caribbean region.
- Act on and contribute to industry-wide goals to improve fuel efficiency of 1.5% per year from 2009 to 2020; target a cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth); and reduce net aviation CO2 emissions of 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels.
- Develop a biofuel commitment in 2017 for use in our regular, commercial operations in the future.
- Transition our wholly-owned ground service equipment to electric ground service equipment where it is safe for our airport operations.
JetBlue's Sustainability Focus
JetBlue believes in communicating transparently about climate change. The airline is committed to taking steps to address the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from its flights and JetBlue empowers and inspires its customers and crewmembers to offset GHG emissions when they fly. The airline is constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace efficient technologies. For example, JetBlue planes feature Airbus' Sharklets, which improve aerodynamics and cut fuel burn and emissions.
"Reducing flight emissions will ultimately be achieved through flying technology, like Sharklets and biofuels. It has also become part of the customer experience and is now a critical element of our JetBlue brand, representing customers' desire to see overarching responsibility for our environmental footprint," said Sophia Mendelsohn, JetBlue's head of sustainability.
For more on JetBlue's work to reduce emissions, please refer to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge and jetblue.com/green .
About JetBlue
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 32 million customers a year to 92 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 900 daily flights. For more information, please visit JetBlue.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS JetBlue Corporate Communications Tel: +1 718 709 3089 corpcomm@jetblue.com
