#Sustainability20: EU Goes After 20 Airlines Over “Greenwashing” Allegations & More
Weekly Roundup - 03/05/24
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
The European Commission and EU are taking action against 20 airlines for misleading greenwashing practices related to carbon offsetting fees and the promotion of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Finnair is marking its centenary with 100 sustainability actions, including purchasing SAF, installing solar panels, minimising single-use plastics, and enhancing processes for onboard cup usage.
The EU plans to require airlines to monitor and report contrails from their aircraft starting in January 2025, while IATA is pushing for more research on their impact.
Condor Airlines' new Airbus A330neo aircraft reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, consuming just 2.1 litres per passenger per 100 kilometres flown.
The Biden administration released guidelines for tax breaks to boost SAF production, including credits for corn-based ethanol if producers follow certain agricultural practices.
Critics fear the Climate Smart Agricultural program overestimates the emissions benefits of ethanol and assigns too much credit to agricultural practices like cover crops and enhanced-efficiency fertilisers.
Southwest Airlines is celebrating 10 years of its Repurpose with Purpose program, which has upcycled over one million pounds of aircraft seat leather through partnerships with social impact organisations.
Climate tech firm IES developed a digital twin for Brussels Airport to demonstrate the viability of reaching net zero emissions for its buildings by 2030 through various climate solutions.
CLIMATE WATCH: Methane emissions from gas flaring being hidden from satellite monitors - The Guardian
An investigation revealed that oil and gas equipment intended to cut methane emissions is preventing scientists from accurately detecting greenhouse gases and pollutants at flaring facilities.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey partnered with Materials for the Arts to feature an art exhibit made from recycled plastics at JFK Terminal 4 by local artist Natsuki Takauji.
Chennai Airport will acquire 13 new electric shuttle carts to enhance passenger transit, particularly for those travelling to and from the more distant second domestic terminal.
A 30-day sustainability trial at Cork Airport resulted in an estimated 66,000 kilos of carbon dioxide savings through shorter arrival routings during quieter traffic periods.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Topsoe signed an agreement with Guangxi Hongkun Biomass to provide its HydroFlexTM technology for a SAF production plant in China, with construction expected to begin in 2024.
Australian researchers have developed a chemical process using non-thermal plasma technology to produce SAF from landfill gases.
Honeywell has improved its Fischer-Tropsch hydrocracking technology, enabling the production of SAF that is 90% less carbon-intensive than conventional jet fuel and expanding feedstock options.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
EHang and GBT will collaborate to develop eVTOL power cells, batteries, and energy storage systems that meet the 4H standards set by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Joby Aviation signed an MoU with authorities in Abu Dhabi to lay the groundwork for a scaleable air taxi service, with potential for an inter-emirate agreement with Dubai.
Lilium will reveal the first full-scale mockup of its four- to six-passenger eVTOL at EBACE, targeting the business aviation sector as an early adopter of its all-electric aircraft.
Chennai-based startup The ePlane Company expects to develop a certifiable prototype of a flying electric taxi by March 2025, initially focusing on commercialising payload-carrying drones.
Liepaja Airport in Latvia will produce and test hydrogen-powered Fokker Next Gen aircraft, employing around 800 people and setting up a hydrogen aircraft engineering centre.
Eviation has completed the conceptual design review for its redesigned all-electric Alice commuter airplane, aiming for the aircraft to be in service by the end of the decade.