Climate Lobbying Overview: Boeing in 2020 appears to have mixed engagement with climate regulation for the aviation sector. Boeing appears to prioritize global climate regulation for aviation, including a CO2 emissions standard for aircraft, at the expense of more ambitious action at a national and regional level. Boeing retains memberships to several powerful industry associations globally actively opposing regulatory intervention on climate, including policy relating to international aviation.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In its 2020 Environment Report, Boeing endorsed the need for GHG emissions reductions for aviation, supporting an industry-wide goal of reducing emissions from the sector by 50% by 2050 compared to a 2005 baseline. It is of note that, according to the IPCC, global net CO2 emissions should reach net zero around 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, rising to 2070 for a 2°C target. In 2020, Boeing also continues to communicate top-line support for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s CORSIA emissions mitigation scheme, under which airlines must buy offsets for emissions beyond average baseline emissions of 2019, and/or use ‘CORSIA eligible’ fuels (a voluntary scheme until 2027). Boeing does not appear to have stated explicit support for the Paris Agreement in 2018-20.

Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: In 2019-20 Boeing has had mixed engagement with specific climate regulations in the EU and US. In 2020, Boeing led advocacy for the US to certify ICAO’s global CO2 standard for aircraft into US law. However, this support appears to be qualified by major exceptions, urging the US government in a 2020 consultation response not to introduce a more ambitious CO2 standard than set by ICAO, and to delay the regulatory standard-setting date for certain aircraft.

In the US, Boeing appears to have lobbied against the Oregon cap and trade system in 2019 arguing it would “significantly increase energy costs” to its operations. While Boeing opposed introducing an EU mandate for sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in an April 2020 consultation response, in November 2020 it appears to have changed position, supporting an EU SAF blending mandate as part of the Clean Skies for Coalition initiative.

Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2019-20 Boeing appeared to communicate support for the decarbonization of aviation by promoting SAFs. In 2020, Boeing, as part of the Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, stated support for policies, including a SAF price floor, to promote demand and support for SAFs in the EU. In a joint 2020 letter to ICAO, Boeing advocated for “broad agreement” on measures to encourage the development of SAFs without stating positions on specific policy measures. Similarly, in a joint 2019 press release Boeing called on global governments to promote sustainable aviation fuels.

Industry Association Governance: Boeing publicly discloses a limited list of its memberships to industry associations on its website without disclosing its direct engagement with them on climate change, their climate policy positions, or the company’s role within each association. In 2020 a senior executive from Boeing is on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers and Boeing remains a member of the US Chamber of Commerce, both of which are actively lobbying against US climate policy. Boeing is also a strategic partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which has consistently opposed ambitious climate policy for international aviation. Boeing has not published a review of its alignment with its industry associations.