The San Francisco 49ers have scored a major victory for sustainability, becoming the first NFL team to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This new initiative, announced in partnership with United Airlines, marks a move towards offsetting the carbon footprint of professional sports travel.
As an initial move, the 49ers have purchased enough SAF to cover their upcoming flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles for this Sunday’s game.
This decision not only sets a new standard for eco-conscious travel in professional sports but also highlights the growing importance of sustainable practices in all aspects of business operations.
SAF: A Game-Changer for Aviation Emissions
Sustainable aviation fuel represents a revolutionary alternative to conventional jet fuel. Made from renewable materials rather than fossil fuels, SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% over its entire lifecycle – from production to end use.
This dramatic reduction in carbon output makes SAF a crucial tool in the fight against climate change, particularly in the hard-to-decarbonize aviation sector.
United Airlines has taken a leading role in adopting and promoting SAF. The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its ambitious goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. This target places United at the forefront of environmental responsibility in the U.S. aviation industry.
In 2023, United purchased more SAF than any other U.S. airline, demonstrating its dedication to turning sustainability pledges into concrete action.
The airline currently uses a blend of SAF at five airports across the United States and Europe, including San Francisco International Airport – one of the most extensive SAF networks of any U.S. carrier.
United’s CEO Scott Kirby emphasized the transformative potential of SAF: “It’s a powerful tool to reduce flying’s carbon footprint, but awareness is low and supply is limited. Partnering with forward-thinking organizations like the 49ers helps showcase why supporting real solutions like SAF matters.”
49ers: Champions On and Off the Field
The 49ers’ commitment to sustainability extends far beyond this latest SAF purchase. The team has established itself as a leader in environmental stewardship within the sports industry.
Their home stadium, Levi’s® Stadium, was the first professional football stadium in the United States to achieve LEED Gold certification. This is a prestigious recognition of its eco-friendly design and operations.
One of the standout features of Levi’s® Stadium is its extensive solar panel system. These panels generate enough clean energy to power every 49ers home game, significantly reducing the team’s reliance on fossil fuels and showcasing the potential for renewable energy in large-scale venues.
The team’s environmental initiatives go beyond their own facilities. The 49ers co-founded the “Faithful to the Planet” initiative, a collaborative charitable project involving several corporate partners.
This program funds vital environmental efforts, including ocean pollution reduction and tree planting and protection schemes.
Brent Schoeb, 49ers Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer, expressed enthusiasm for the team’s latest green initiative. “Joining United’s Eco-Skies Alliance is a significant step in reducing our carbon footprint. We’re proud to be the first NFL team investing in SAF and grateful for United’s leadership in sustainability.”
United’s Eco-Skies Alliance
By purchasing SAF, the 49ers have become members of United’s innovative Eco-Skies Alliance℠ program. Launched in April 2021, this initiative brings together environmentally conscious companies to collectively address the “green premium”. This is the additional cost associated with lower-emission fuels like SAF.
The price difference is substantial, with SAF typically costing two to four times more than conventional jet fuel. By sharing this cost burden, alliance members are helping to drive the adoption of SAF. They are further supporting the growth of this crucial industry.
The impact of the Eco-Skies Alliance has been significant. Since its inception, the program has contributed to the purchase of nearly 15 million gallons of SAF.
This volume of sustainable fuel could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 150,000 metric tons. This is the equivalent of flying passengers almost 1 billion miles.
As more organizations follow the 49ers’ lead and join initiatives like the Eco-Skies Alliance, the demand for sustainable aviation fuel is likely to increase.
This growing market could drive further innovation and efficiency in SAF production. This potentially lowers costs and makes sustainable aviation more accessible to a wider range of businesses and individuals.
The partnership between the San Francisco 49ers and United Airlines serves as a powerful example. It shows just how sports teams and corporations can collaborate to drive meaningful environmental change.
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