#Sustainability20: EasyJet, Airbus & Rolls-Royce Part Of New Hydrogen Flight Alliance & Other Stories In Aviation
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#Sustainability20: EasyJet, Airbus & Rolls-Royce Part Of New Hydrogen Flight Alliance & Other Stories In Aviation
Weekly Roundup - 08/09/23
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
France aims to eliminate €10 airfares within the EU to reduce emissions and reflect environmental costs. French Transport Minister, Clément Beaune, advocates for higher airfare and investments in railways, highlighting that trains often cost more than planes. This follows France's recent short-haul flight ban on certain routes.
As eco-friendly travel options increase, many consumers remain unaware of carbon offset programs. A survey shows 78% of U.S. adults haven't heard of airline carbon offset offers. While 59% would consider a lower emission flight for cashback, only 22% see their carbon footprint as a major factor when booking. Companies targeting younger demographics may find more interest in eco-friendly choices. Incentives, like cash back, might sway consumers, but relying solely on this might not meet companies' climate goals. Airlines like American and Southwest are already exploring sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as a more effective solution.
Emirates has earned IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade certifications, reinforcing its environmental commitment. This recognises Emirates' dedication to preserving wildlife, combating illegal wildlife trade, and promoting sustainability initiatives like sustainable aviation fuel. Emirates SkyCargo strictly opposes illegal wildlife trade, and Emirates has pledged US$200 million towards sustainable aviation projects.
Airlines require all the world's synthetic aviation fuel, leaving none for cars, says Deutsche Lufthansa AG CEO Carsten Spohr. Sustainable aviation fuels are essential for decarbonising air travel, while e-fuels exempt from the EU's 2035 combustion engine ban support cars.
The Dutch government plans to limit flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport from 2024 to reduce noise, angering airlines like KLM. The cap, set at 452,500 flights annually, addresses noise pollution, greenhouse emissions, and logistical issues. Opponents are appealing to the Dutch Supreme Court.
Wizz Air has launched its WIZZ Sustainability Ambassador program, selecting 24 representatives from its staff across 14 countries. These ambassadors will support local eco-projects from September 2023 to May 2024, furthering the airline's sustainability goals.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plans to use SAF to reduce emissions on domestic flights, leading to ticket prices potentially increasing by 5-20%. While currently, only 3% of passengers opt for the "green" fare, SWISS is committed to halving its 2019 CO2 emissions by 2030 and aims for a CO2-neutral balance by 2050.
Voluntary carbon markets declined for the first time in seven years, with companies like Nestle and Gucci reducing purchases. Several forest protection projects failed to meet emission-saving promises. As demand drops, prices of carbon offsets also decrease significantly. Regulatory bodies and advisory groups advise companies against over-reliance on carbon credits, amidst growing concerns over greenwashing and efficacy.
CLIMATE WATCH: Antarctica warming much faster than models predicted in ‘deeply concerning’ sign for sea levels - The Guardian
Antarctica is warming at nearly double the global rate, potentially impacting sea level rise significantly, a study reveals. Analysing 78 ice cores, scientists discovered increased warming beyond natural fluctuations, indicating accelerated polar amplification. This rapid warming raises concerns about future sea levels and Antarctic ecosystems.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Dallas Love Field airport is partnering with JetWind Power to convert gusts from airplane takeoffs into electricity. Introduced in 2017, JetWind's technology can also harness wind from trains and vehicles. This initiative supports aviation's goal for net-zero operations by 2050.
iGA Istanbul Airport advances its Sustainable Mobility strategy, highlighting a 13% emissions reduction in 2022 and aims for a 23% reduction by 2025. The airport increased solid waste recycling and reclaimed water usage. Committed to sustainability, iGA received accolades and supported the UN Sustainable Development Goals. They're focused on creating a sustainable future, reducing emissions, and enhancing environmental and community investments.
Christchurch Airport received two ACI Asia-Pacific awards for sustainability. Their new waste sortation room aims to divert 80% of waste from landfills. After an extensive audit, they implemented strategies to increase waste diversion, such as reusing and recycling discarded items. The airport's sustainability approach aligns with broader efficiency goals, including carbon emissions tracking.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
After a surge in SAF deals in 2021-22 due to policy-driven green pledges, the pace has slowed in 2023 due to outstripping supply and feedstock concerns. Legislative measures in the EU and US prompted the initial boom. While the EU's ReFuelEU aviation initiative requires increasing SAF blends, actual production remains low. The US Inflation Reduction Act also spurred deals but outpacing supply concerns have arisen. Feedstock challenges and high costs further complicate the SAF industry's growth, but SAF remains seen as vital for net-zero targets.
Since May 2023, airBaltic has offered passengers the option to contribute to SAF purchases, emphasising its role in achieving climate neutrality. Over the summer, nearly 5,000 bookings integrated this option. The airline commits to using the contributed SAF within 12 months and supports the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly travel.
Japanese petroleum firm Idemitsu Kosan and trading company LOPS Corp. plan to jointly study SAF feedstock procurement. They aim to establish a stable supply chain, leveraging their combined expertise, to support Japan's 10% SAF blend goal by 2030.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
EasyJet, Airbus and Rolls-Royce part of new hydrogen flight alliance - Yahoo
The Hydrogen in Aviation (HIA) alliance, including easyJet, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce, urges the UK government to focus on hydrogen to decarbonise aviation. They believe hydrogen-powered flights, backed by government investment and regulation, could bring £34 billion annually to the UK by 2050.
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is converting a Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion under Project Fresson. The goal is to showcase hydrogen technology's viability for sustainable aviation. Test flights start in 2024, targeting commercial service in 2026. The hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system eliminates the need for batteries. Heat removal remains a challenge.
Eviation signed an agreement with South Korean lessor, Solyu, for 25 Alice all-electric aircraft, with an option for 25 more. The deal increases Alice's order value to $5 billion. Solyu aims to provide global leasing solutions for Alice. Eviation's Alice, set for first flights in 2027, offers sustainability in aviation. Previous buyers include DHL and GlobalX.
Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL prototype, VX4, crashed during uncrewed tests. The UK manufacturer revealed a blade issue and a subsequent Controller Area Network bus malfunction led to the accident. Despite setbacks, certification activities continue. The prototype's next version, addressing the crash's causes, is expected in 2024. Vertical's financial standing and certification deadline face challenges.
Airbus UpNext will replace the A330's onboard auxiliary power unit with a hydrogen fuel cell system from R&D Dynamics. This system will generate electricity for non-propulsive power needs, such as air conditioning and lighting.
A report by aviation leaders, including Airbus and Air New Zealand, claims New Zealand, particularly Christchurch, is ideal for testing and deploying low-carbon aircraft. Airbus aims to develop the first hydrogen-powered commercial plane, leveraging New Zealand's renewable resources. However, challenges like massive electricity needs for hydrogen production exist.