Embraer said it will join United Airlines Ventures’ Sustainable Flight Fund, an investment program aimed at increasing the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through investment in related startup companies.
United launched the fund in February 2023, and it has since grown to include 22 corporate partners. The airline and its partners have committed more than $200 million to invest in companies working to decarbonize air travel.
“Embraer is proud to join United Airlines Ventures’ Sustainable Flight Fund, which is aligned with our commitment to develop and support innovative solutions to address the growing need for a clean energy transition in aviation,” said Leonardo Garnica, head of corporate innovation at Embraer. “In a joint collaborative effort with our partners, we can accelerate large-scale SAF production as the aviation industry progresses toward the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”
The use of renewable energy sources can cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent, Embraer said. Boosting the availability of SAF is among the company’s goals within its plan to reach carbon-neutral operations by 2040.
Embraer said the pursuit of sustainability remains a key part of its business strategy. The company has conducted flight tests using 100 percent neat SAF and is exploring new methods for accelerating development of zero-emission propulsion systems.
