Sustainability was a key theme at the Singapore Airshow, with many aviation leaders coming together to discuss sustainable aviation solutions and goals to reduce the industry’s overall carbon footprint. For example, Pratt & Whitney, an American aerospace manufacturer with global service operations, announced its expansion of the company’s carbon offset program, which was launched in 2020 to help operators minimize their footprint. Now the program is available for the regional fleet management program, to support the industry’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Also, two new airplane models with lower fuel burn were presented: Korea Air displayed the A220 from Airbus and Boeing’s large efficient twin-engine jet took flight at the ariel showcase.
Read on to stay in in the know about how the air travel industry is moving toward carbon neutrality.
Current events
Energy experts say Russia’s war in Ukraine could help spur a renewable energy revolution. While UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote of more drilling, he also wrote of doubling down on renewable energy, such as solar or wind power. A UK government spokesperson told CNN that a new energy strategy to be revealed by the end of March will “supercharge” its renewables and nuclear capacity. In Germany, which is highly dependent on Russian gas, the government brought forward its deadline for a full transition to renewables in its power sector by at least five years, to 2035. But in the US, the path toward a clean energy transition has stalled in the Congress.
Airports
Luxembourg Airport has met all the requirements to become certified carbon neutral within Airport Carbon Accreditation. The airport has undertaken many CO2-reducing initiatives including the use of 100% renewable electricity from hydropower across its premises, switching to energy efficient alternatives for lighting and heating, as well as taking a stab at the aeronautical emissions through inclusion of an environmental factor into its airport charges structure.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport, with the support of Luminus and CO2Logic, has just received Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2. Lots of practical measures have been implemented to achieve this, including fitting LED lighting around the site, installing efficient natural gas air conditioning and heating equipment (resulting in a 25% reduction in consumption), installing solar panels on the roof of terminal 2 and electrical connection points for all parked aircraft.
Airlines
Delta is once again bringing sustainability to even the smallest things. Its bedding sets are now made with more than 100 recycled plastic bottles, which will use 25 million recycled bottles annually. Combined with the new use of reusable bedding packaging the airline will reduce single-use plastic use by up to 260,000 pounds per year. Moreover, Delta now offers bamboo cutlery for domestic First Class fresh packaged meals and on select international flights. Later this year, all international Main Cabin customers will also see new dishware made from biodegradable material, bamboo cutlery and a premium paper placemat.
Qantas frequent flyers can now pocket 10,000 points or 50 status credits as a reward for making eco-friendly choices as the airline launches its new Green tier for members. The Green tier will sit alongside the existing membership levels of the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme — and you’ll get a digital card within the Qantas app, rather than another piece of environmentally-evil plastic to crowd your wallet or purse.
Technology
The German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft and the North Energy Cluster, based in Northern Norway have signed a Memorandum of Understanding stating their common goal to develop solutions that will accelerate the availability of climate-neutral aviation technologies. The cooperation of the two partners will achieve substantial short-term reductions of Northern Norway’s aviation climate footprint through low-carbon e-fuels. Furthermore, the partners agree to develop solutions to achieve zero climate impact in the mid-term.
Partners
A key goal for the destination of Madeira in 2022 is to enhance its sustainability credentials for tourism. ‘Madeira. Belongs to All. So Sustainable’ is the slogan of the project which aims to involve the entire local community. The certification process has already began with EarthCheck — the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism and an entity accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It is due to be completed by the start of 2023. This coincides with a growth of eco-tourism offerings in the destination, with various hotels and tour companies prioritising sustainability at the core of their DNA.
