Decarbonisation of air transport: it's already tomorrow
Biofuels, synthetic paraffin, hydrogen
research is moving forward
Does the aviation industry deserve to be so criticised for its impact on the climate? In reality, an aircraft passenger today consumes five times less energy than in the 1970s, and in France the sector accounts for only 5% of all CO2 emissions. Apave has long been concerned with environmental issues, offering consultancy services in biodiversity, environmental and energy efficiency, and carbon assessment. Its subsidiary OSAC has already been awarded the ProTarmac label for CSR policies in the civil aeronautics sector, and has embarked on an ISO 14001 environmental management certification process. The aim is to contribute to the industry's commitment in this area, while training its own employees in the accelerated innovation of aircraft.
Biofuels, synthetic paraffin, hydrogen, optimised flight plans... research is advancing in all directions, with the European objective of a totally carbon-free economy by 2050 in sight. Electric aircraft have already begun to make an appearance.
"Development is slower and more costly than in the automotive sector, because engineering and certification are much more onerous", points out Jérémie Chaine, President of Avialpes, a pilot training organisation that organises tourist flights in Annecy, using a Pipistrel Velis Electro. The first electric aircraft to fly over Mont Blanc.
Flying electric means carrying batteries on board, but given the weight involved, the industry is working on lightening the aircraft's structure, in particular using composite materials, and on optimised ways of flying.
5 %
of France's CO2 emissions come from aviation
ISO 14001
Apave is certified for its Environmental Management System (EMS)
0 paper
is the objective of the ongoing digitisation of the OSAC Inspector Licences (LIA)
INTERVIEW - Damien Cazé - Director General of Civil Aviation (DGAC)
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What are the major environmental challenges facing aviation?The year 2022 saw a resumption of traffic after the health crisis. The sector is taking advantage of this to accelerate its ecological transition, by reducing its CO2 emissions, its noise footprint and, as far as possible, its impact on biodiversity. At a time when society's expectations in this area are growing ever more pressing, the French Presidency of the European Union initiated the Toulouse Declaration calling for carbon-neutral air transport by 2050. Between now and 2030, decarbonisation will be based on an initial phase of deploying sustainable fuels, renewing airline fleets and developing a new generation of ultra-efficient aircraft, reducing energy consumption by around 30%. |
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What are the levers for achieving these objectives?Only sustainable aviation fuels will make it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% to 95% in the short and medium term, over their entire life cycle. On 25 April, the European Union reached an agreement setting targets for the gradual incorporation of these fuels from 2025. In France, this practice has been in force since January 2022. Last February, the French Minister for Transport launched a high-level working group to create a sustainable fuels industry that will enable the aviation sector to achieve its decarbonisation targets by 2050. |
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"Towards carbon-neutral aviation in 2050"
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What will tomorrow's aircraft look like?ABy the beginning of the next decade, I fervently hope that we will have very low-carbon short and medium-haul aircraft, as well as zero-emission regional aircraft. In less than 20 years' time, the successor to the A320, the world's best-selling commercial aircraft, could be flying on hydrogen, and will set new global environmental standards for airliners. |
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Apave at the Paris Air Show 2023
Apave and all its subsidiaries will be on stand B163 in Hall 2.
Apave will also be welcoming its customers to its chalet at the foot of the slopes.
Discover the programme:
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