Lufthansa will start mixing bio-fuel with kerosene with a goal of having the alternative fuel formulation account for 10% of its fuel within 12 years.

This target is included in 15 newly released environmental guidelines the aviation group says will increase “progress in environmental efficiency by the year 2020” and “span the entire range of practicable measures for protecting the climate in the operation of air traffic.”

In addition to adding energy derived from plants or algae to its oil-based jet fuel, the aviation group — which operates a portfolio including Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, and MRO Lufthansa Technik — also intends to meet emissions standards set by IATA and the Environmental Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe, or ACARE.

With these goals, the German company now commits itself to cutting carbon dioxide emissions per kilometer flown 25% by 2020, compared to 2006 levels. Nitrogen oxide targets also set for 2020 should reduce NOx emissions by 80% compared to 2000 levels.

Noise abatement measures will also be researched.

Decreasing emissions is only part of Lufthansa’s plan. Within its 15 guidelines, the company also says it is committed to promoting revenue-neutral incentive systems, such as emission-based landing fees as well as continuing “to advocate within international organizations a practicable solution for including air traffic in emissions trading.”

“With the four-pillar strategy agreed with other airlines, we have an effective and comprehensive concept for reducing emissions, whereby standardization of air traffic control through implementation of a Single European Sky remains Europe’s single biggest environment protection project,” said Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber in a statement.

“Our strategic environmental program for safeguarding mobility clearly demonstrates that we are firmly intent on doing our share in the future in shouldering our responsibility for environment and climate protection.”

Photo: Lufthansa