Aerospace manufacturers advance green initiatives toward net zero carbon goals

Since 2018, Safran has been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all its sites. The company aims to cut scope 1 (direct) and scope 2 (indirect) CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030. Initiatives include lowering energy consumption, increasing renewable energy use at industrial sites, developing an internal carbon price for harmful emissions, and using sustainable fuels for engine testing. Safran also encourages its main suppliers to follow a decarbonization pathway aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Thales has integrated sustainability into its corporate strategy. The company plans to roll out a new sustainability strategy for 2024-2030 after achieving significant reductions in its carbon footprint over the past five years. Thales reported a nearly 60 percent reduction in scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions from the 2018 baseline. Renewables now account for 90 percent of its energy mix.

Thales applies eco-design principles throughout its engineering process and maintains green manufacturing standards across its supply chain. By the end of last year, Thales had implemented action plans with suppliers to reduce their emissions.

ATR is also committed to responsible supply chain management. The joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo collaborates with over 150 direct and 800 indirect suppliers on environmental responsibility. “Stringent requirements towards our suppliers are listed in a code of conduct," ATR corporate social responsibility manager Mathilde Raymond told AIN. "Since October 2023, we also assess the maturity of our suppliers’ commitments towards sustainability via a third-party agency (EcoVadis).”

ATR aims to decrease gas and electricity consumption while increasing renewable energy sources. Its headquarters and flight test sites are fully powered by renewable energy, with goals set for waste reduction and material recovery rates.

Embraer has established DIPAS (Integrated Development of Environmentally Sustainable Products) to ensure product sustainability throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle. The Brazilian airframer aims for a 50 percent reduction in net carbon emissions by 2040 from a 2018 baseline and complete reliance on renewable energy sources by 2030. In line with this goal, Embraer signed an electricity purchase agreement ensuring that all electricity acquired in Brazil will come from renewable sources starting this year.