Air Canada made its very first biofuel flight on Monday, heading from Toronto to Mexico City, in an effort to focus the spotlight on the industry’s commitment to greener transportation.

The flight was made by an Airbus 319 using recycling cooking oil and jet fuel for the journey. According to the aircraft maker, this could cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 40 percent. The flight took place to coincide with the Rio+20 summit, a United Nations sustainable development conference in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, and it was organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“Today’s flight with Air Canada proves that the aviation industry is in a strong position to reduce emissions,” said Fabrice Bregier, president and CEO of Airbus.

“To make this a day-to-day commercial reality, it now requires political will to foster incentives to scale up the use of sustainable biofuels and accelerate modernization of the air traffic management system,” Bregier said.

“We need a clear endorsement by governments and all aviation stakeholders to venture beyond today’s limitations.”