Company Profile – Boeing
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Boeing is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft. While the carbon emissions from their own operations don’t break the bank, the majority of their carbon footprint derives from the use of their products around the world. And with aviation experts predicting a doubling in air traffic in the next 15 years, their carbon footprint is set to grow.
Regarding global warming, their website says, “Our greatest contribution to meeting the challenge is to pioneer new technologies for environmentally progressive products and services – and to design, develop and build them in an environmentally responsible manner.”
This statement could not be more true. Boeing needs to develop more efficient planes and cleaner fuel sources in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
To their credit, Boeing has made some steps in this direction. However, when most carbon emissions come from large commercial planes, a bunch of baby steps doesn’t make much of a difference in the fight against global warming.
Boeing has committed to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Historically, this is not a huge achievement in an industry that was not included in the Kyoto Protocol. The real test will come in 2012 when the aviation industry is added to the EU’s carbon reduction targets. While Boeing has publicly favored bringing in stronger, “yet flexible” frameworks to address climate change, it remains to be seen if the incoming laws in the EU will give them the ‘flexibility’ they want.
Boeing is focusing their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint in two main areas. With the company directing 75% of their R&D spending on improving how environmentally friendly their planes are, these two areas are bound to receive a lot of attention.
The first is through more efficient planes. The company has pledged that each new generation of planes will have a 15% improvement in their carbon footprint. The most recent release, the 787 Dreamliner, had a 20% reduction in its carbon footprint compared to previous planes of a similar size. The downside is that new generations of planes take years to design and produce, unlike cars where a new model comes out every year, so the compounding effect of this goal will take many years to achieve.
The second area of focus is on improving fuel sources. Boeing has taken a lead role in the development of algae as a source for biofuel. While this has yet to produce any tangible results, hopes are high for the future. As well, Boeing is working to develop fuel cell technology. Early in 2008, they had their first test flight where a plane was powered by a fuel cell. However, this is also years away from being used on commercial sized aircraft.
Outside these two areas, the company is also trying to improve air traffic control, which could offer and immediate improvement to the carbon footprint of planes.
There remain two areas that need improvement for Boeing to cut their carbon footprint. While they have set and reached some good targets for the commercial aircraft, they are also a large provider of military aircraft which should be included in these improvements. As well, the company should be more forthcoming with their emissions data so that the public can see just how effective their measures have been.
So how do they stack up?
Business Strategy: 3/5 – with high oil prices, improved efficiency and alternative fuels are crucial to their future success but Boeing still needs to do more to prove this
Products & Services: 1.5/5 –the aviation industry is one of the fastest growing areas for carbon emissions
Leading By Example: 2.5/5 – their leadership in alternative fuel sources is commendable, but could still use alternative energy in their operations and support more stringent emissions controls
Overall: 2.2/5
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