Aviation Sustainability and the Environment, CAPA 19-Feb-2021

Europe's aviation sector launches ambitious plan to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050

• Opportunity to reach net zero CO2 emissions through a combination of measures, making flying more sustainable for the long term.
• Sector calls for decisive action from both governments and industry to achieve this net zero vision by 2050, while upholding international competitiveness and aviation's benefits to society.

Europe's aviation sector today unveiled its flagship sustainability initiative, Destination 2050 - A Route to Net Zero European Aviation. Driven by a new, independent report, it provides a vision and path for meaningful CO2 emission reduction efforts in Europe and globally. This follows recent climate commitments announced by the sector last November in the Round Table Report on the Recovery of European Aviation which called upon institutional stakeholders to join the sector in an EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation by the end of 2021 - a call reiterated today.

Building on the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, Destination 2050 sees all flights within and departing the EU, UK and EFTA realising net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The ambitious plan and related commitments laid out by Europe's airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers shows collective leadership of the European aviation sector to reduce CO2 emissions, with the goal of making leisure and business air travel in Europe, and globally, more sustainable in the long term.

According to the report, there is an opportunity to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 through a combination of four key measures, aligning European aviation with EU climate goals - subject to securing the required supporting policy and financing framework at EU and national level. These four measures include:

• Improvements in aircraft and engine technologies could achieve emission reductions of 37%
• Using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) could achieve emission reductions of 34%
• Implementing economic measures could achieve emission reductions of 8%
• Improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations could achieve emission reductions of 6%

The Destination 2050 report further assumes an impact on demand due to the above measures, resulting in the net zero CO2 goal. Nevertheless, European air passenger numbers are projected to grow on average by approximately 1.4% per year between 2018 and 2050 without compromising the sector's ability to reach net zero CO2 emissions by this point.

Destination 2050 highlights that to make the net zero vision for European aviation by 2050 a reality, while maintaining international competitiveness and aviation's benefits to society - quick, decisive joint actions by governments and industry will be needed. Industry will need to continue to substantially invest in decarbonisation and innovation and make the necessary operational transitions, while governments will need to ensure a level playing field and facilitate the transition through incentives and by reducing investment risks with consistent and stable policy frameworks.

This is the first pan-European, industry-wide, long-term vision that comes with concrete solutions to the complex challenge of reducing CO2 emissions from commercial flights within and departing the EU, UK and EFTA. The initiative is led by five European aviation associations - ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD Europe), Airlines for Europe (A4E), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and European Regions Airline Association (ERA). The report was made possible thanks to the work of the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and SEO Amsterdam Economics.

"This long-planned vision and roadmap for the future of European aviation underlines our sector's commitment and determination to play our part in tackling climate change despite the current crisis. A robust regulatory framework will be paramount in achieving not only an environmentally sustainable future, but also a financially resilient and competitive European aviation industry as a whole. We remain committed to work with policy-makers to take aviation forward jointly for the next generation of travellers," said Thomas Reynaert, Managing Director at A4E.

"The Air Traffic Management industry and the rest of the aviation sector in Europe have come together to present a solution to our common challenge - reducing carbon emissions, while still delivering valuable economic and social benefits. With improvements across the sector, we aim to make a meaningful impact and help to achieve Europe's climate goals," said Tanja Grobotek, Director Europe Affairs at CANSO.

"The decisive and tangible actions set out in this roadmap are unprecedented. Here we have an entire sector not just committing to decarbonisation, but actually charting the path to make it happen and effectively contribute to the EU's Climate objectives and the Paris Agreement. But whilst we embrace our responsibilities, it is clear that we cannot do this alone. It takes two to tango. Now we need the EU to deliver the policy and regulatory framework that will enable us to deliver net zero European Aviation by 2050. We therefore urge institutional stakeholders to respond to our call and now join the EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation we tabled last November," said Olivier Jankovec, Director General at ACI EUROPE.

"This is a pivotal moment for sustainability and innovation for many industries, including aviation. The European aviation sector will take a strong leadership and collaboration position through its strengths in innovation and technology. The achievement of the goals of this roadmap is possible provided that the EU and national governments play their part through increased public funding for civil aviation research & technology. This will also have wider benefits globally, taking into account the European aeronautics industry's global leadership," said Vincent De Vroey, ASD Civil Aviation Director.

"Robust economic measures and much needed government and regulatory support in the short term will be necessary to bridge the gap until innovation, technology and sustainable aviation fuels become more widely available to help our industry reach its environmental targets. Our industry wants to be a part of a clean recovery that has a lasting positive impact whilst still providing essential connectivity to Europe's citizens; we will take positive steps to make it happen," said Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA.

S&P Global Dow Jones Index recognises LATAM Airlines as South America's most sustainable carrier

LATAM Airlines announced (11-Feb-2021) the carrier was recognised by S&P Global Dow Jones Index as South America's most sustainable airline in the silver class, and second in the world.

The carrier is among the 5% most sustainable carriers in the world. [more - original PR - Portuguese]

Original report - Portuguese: LATAM é reconhecida como a melhor companhia aérea da América do Sul e a segunda do mundo em Sustentabilidade

O anuário "The Sustainability Yearbook" aponta as empresas com melhor gestão ambiental, social e governança corporativa

O Grupo LATAM Airlines acaba de ser listado na edição 2021 do anuário "The Sustainability Yearbook" do S&P Global Dow Jones Index (DJSI) como a melhor companhia aérea em Sustentabilidade na América do Sul e a segunda em todo o mundo. A LATAM foi reconhecida pela primeira vez na categoria Silver Class e está entre os 5% das companhias aéreas com melhor desempenho em Sustentabilidade no mundo.

Das mais de 7 mil empresas avaliadas, apenas as 630 com maior pontuação foram selecionadas para o anuário. Destas, apenas 280 foram reconhecidas em algumas das seguintes categorias: Gold Class, Silver Class, Bronze Class e Industry Mover.

"Este resultado é um reconhecimento do trabalho que nossas equipes LATAM vêm construindo nos últimos anos. Vemos isso apenas como um começo. Como Grupo, temos a firme intenção de fazer da aviação uma indústria sustentável com a urgência que sentimos que o planeta precisa ", afirma Roberto Alvo, CEO do Grupo LATAM Airlines.

O anuário reúne as companhias com as melhores práticas ambientais, sociais e de governança corporativa do mundo, classificadas e listadas no DJSI, o principal e mais respeitado índice de investimento sustentável do mundo. Em 2020, a LATAM teve uma gestão de destaque nas seguintes áreas: Gestão de Marca e Gestão de Riscos e Crises, Relatório de Indicadores Ambientais e Estratégia Climática. Também se destacou no Relatório de Desenvolvimento de Capital Humano e Indicadores Sociais, entre outros.

Edmonton Airport: WeFaces Technology to open solar facility at Airport City

Edmonton International Airport announced (17-Feb-2021) solar LED manufacturer WeFaces Technology will establish a sustainability campus at the Airport City.

The facility supports the airport's commitment to energy diversification and will include research and development as well as the mass production of advanced solar panel lighting systems.

By 2022 the company will begin manufacturing Canadian made solar lighting products for international export from the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. [more - original PR]

Original report: New Solar manufacturer to set up at EIA

Clean Sky makes progress with PERF-AI, using AI to optimise flight trajectories and reduce emissions

Clear Sky announced (11-Feb-2021) the PERF-AI project has developed a fully functional prototype that analyses historical flight data to generate accurate performance models of individual aircraft.

Taking into account specific differences that arise in an aircraft's lifetime and impact on their individual performance, the software generates a more tailored, accurate performance model that can then be used to calculate flight trajectories that are optimised for fuel efficiency.

The technology also suggests more efficient flight trajectories, supporting pilots to make more eco-conscious decisions.

In some cases, PERF-AI reported a reduction of 500kg of carbon dioxide emissions for a medium haul flight of two hours, representing up to 2%-5% of cruise consumption. [more - original PR]

Original report: PERF-AI optimises flight trajectories and reduces emissions with artificial intelligence

The PERF-AI project has developed a fully functional prototype that analyses historical flight data to generate accurate performance models of individual aircraft.

Taking into account specific differences that arise in an aircraft's lifetime and impact on their individual performance (such as ageing engines, modifications to aircraft structure etc), the software generates a more tailored, accurate performance model that can then be used to calculate flight trajectories that are optimised for fuel efficiency.

The data that's collected can be used to inform flight crews with more accurate estimates of how much fuel they'll need. Carrying less fuel on board means less weight, so less fuel burn. The technology also suggests more efficient flight trajectories, supporting pilots to make more eco-conscious decisions. In some cases, PERF-AI reported a reduction of 500 kg of carbon dioxide emissions for a medium-haul flight of two hours, representing up to 2-5% of cruise consumption.

The project started by collecting and setting up a large enough flight data set, then several machine learning algorithms were developed and tested to select the most relevant. Finally, a standalone application was built that can use any type of aircraft data and provide corresponding performance tables. In parallel, new types of optimisation techniques based on machine learning were also explored.

An impressive number of flights were analysed to create the dataset - 17000 flights for B737-800 type aircraft and 25000 flights on A320.

Despite the huge amount of data processed, the prototype doesn't require particularly powerful computers, meaning it can be used not only to calculate optimum trajectories before flight but could also be used in the future to re-calculate during flight. It was tested on two different aircraft types, and demonstrated very good initial results.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the project, however. Some of the information that needed to be extracted from the data was not present among the available parameters. A workaround was needed and the use of flight dynamics was used to compute the missing elements.

One research paper has already been published in Data Centric Engineering Review from Cambridge University, and a second one has been submitted.

Discussions are ongoing regarding how to exploit the results of the project in a commercial form. The results of the optimisation are currently being tested with Transavia France.

The partners of the project were Safety Line, a Paris based SME, and INRIA Lille a research centre specialised in Machine Learning. The Topic manager was Thales Avionics and two airlines were represented at the advisory board: Transavia France and Lufthansa. Altogether, €705 000 was invested in PERF-AI, with €568550 coming from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 funding under Clean Sky.

SAP Concur: Nearly half of corporate travellers lack information on sustainability in travel

SAP Concur reported (15-Feb-2021) its 'Solving the Puzzle of Sustainable Corporate Travel' survey report found that while 85% of corporate travellers felt they had control over their arrangements, almost half (46%) said they lacked the information needed to make an educated choice about the relative sustainability merits of different booking options.

39% of individuals say the sustainability of their corporate travel has never even occurred to them.

The survey identified the three most impactful awareness activities to change traveller behaviour as the offering of incentives (25%), formal training and education (24%), plus a role for 'Sustainable Travel Ambassadors' (13%). [more - original PR]

Original report: Empowering Employees to Make Sustainable Corporate Travel Decisions