In a show of support for aviation industry sustainability targets, the chief technology officers (CTO) for seven major aerospace companies issued a statement today reaffirming their commitment to support the sector’s net-zero carbon emissions ambition by 2050. The statement by the CTOs of Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and Safran comes ahead of the COP26 event in London, an annual showcase for the aerospace, defense, security, and space industries.
These seven companies have spent a combined $75 billion in R&D on sustainability over the past five years, focusing on advancing aircraft and engine design and technology, supporting increased availability and usage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and investigating hydrogen as a future fuel. They also continue to develop new technologies that will eventually achieve net-zero aviation.
The CTOs are calling for policymakers to support new technologies and stimulate SAF and green hydrogen production, as well as develop globally consistent regulations and standards. They also seek investment to increase SAF production capacity, in addition to funding for airport infrastructure required to support the new technologies.
Each of the seven companies has made its own strides towards sustainability through projects under development. Dassault actively promotes SAF usage, and its Falcon range of business jets is already SAF compatible. The airframer is also partnering on hydrogen fuel-powered aircraft projects with France's civil aviation research council.