Tag: sustainable

Boeing HorizonX Ventures Invests in Startup Matternet

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IASA: Nachhaltige Luftfahrt - Sustainable Aviation

Autonomous logistics platform will enable global, next-generation cargo air transportation

Chicago, June 26, 2018: Boeing today announced its investment in Matternet, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based startup pioneering safe, on-demand unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery operations in urban environments. Matternet’s advanced logistics platform – combined with Boeing’s expertise in complex logistics, integration and manufacturing capabilities – will further enable reliable, efficient cargo air transportation.

Matternet became the world’s first company to receive authorization to launch UAV operations over densely populated areas in Switzerland in 2017. Leveraging its Matternet Station, M2 drone and Cloud platform, the company has achieved safe flights over densely populated areas and partnered with Swiss Post for on-demand deliveries of medical samples to hospitals in Switzerland.

“Matternet’s technology and proven track record make the development of a safe, global autonomous air mobility system a near-term reality,” said Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonXVentures. “Our investment will allow Matternet to scale its operations while strengthening Boeing’s position as a leader in next-generation transportation solutions.”

In May 2018, Matternet was selected to participate in a joint U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration program aimed at accelerating integration of unmanned aircraft into national airspace. As part of the program, Matternet will work with hospitals, universities and transportation agencies in California and North Carolina to facilitate on-demand delivery of medical supplies and samples.

Today, Matternet joined an initiative to shape the future of mobility as part of the World Economic Forum. The company will participate in the Drone Innovators Network to accelerate a safe, sustainable, global mobility system focused on improving people’s lives.

Boeing HorizonX Ventures led the $16 million, Series A investment in Matternet, with participation by Swiss Post, Sony Innovation Fund and Levitate Capital.  The Boeing HorizonX Ventures investment portfolio is made up of companies specializing in technologies for aerospace and manufacturing innovations, including autonomous systems, energy and data storage, advanced materials, augmented reality systems and software, machine learning, hybrid-electric and hypersonic propulsion, and Internet of Things connectivity.

Source: Boeing

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Airbus Enters Partnership with Government of Côte d’Ivoire

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IASA: Nachhaltige Luftfahrt - Sustainable Aviation

MoU to develop aerospace industry in Côte d’Ivoire

Toulouse, June 15, 2018: Airbus and the government of Côte d’Ivoire signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework of collaboration to support the development of the country’s aerospace industry which has been identified as strategic for its economic development.
Under the terms of the MoU, Airbus and the government of Côte d’Ivoire will explore channels of cooperation in developing the aerospace sector in Côte d’Ivoire in various areas.
 “Collaboration between the public and private sector is essential to facilitate economic and industrial growth. Through this MoU we will work closely with Côte d’Ivoire’s government, share expertise, discuss opportunities and support efforts in building a robust and sustainable aerospace sector. At Airbus, we are committed to supporting the sustainable socio-economic development of Africa through partnerships such as this. ” said Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
Source: Airbus

Neste’s New Online Hub about Sustainable Aviation

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IASA: Nachhaltige Luftfahrt - Sustainable Aviation

‘decarbonizingaviation.com‘: Neste’s New Online Hub about Sustainable Aviation

Most passengers would be willing to pay a fee for moresustainable aviation

Keilaranta, December 21, 2017: Aviation is the fastest growing means of transport. In 2016, 3.8 billion people travelled by air, and according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the number of passengers is predicted to reach 7.2 billion (!) by 2035. With this growth comes the reality that carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions from aviation will grow substantially. Carbon neutral growth in aviation is possible, but requires that airports, solutions providers, airlines, authorities, local community and passengers all unite and contribute to more sustainable travelling.

According to a recent survey, 67% of US passengers, and 53% of European travelers, are concerned about the environmental impacts of air travel. The survey found that over 50% of passengers consider it important that their airline goes above and beyond regulations to be environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the survey found that most passengers are willing to pay a fee for Renewable Jet Fuel, and that this may even positively impact airline and airport preference.

“As aviation currently makes up roughly 2% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, making the transition towards carbon neutral growth is an absolute imperative,” says Paul Paoletta, Head of Neste Aviation Solutions.
To raise awareness and facilitate dialog in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, Neste has opened its decarbonizingaviation.com online hub for all stakeholders in aviation.  The site features videos, blogs, articles and news across hot topics in the decarbonization of aviation debate, from waste materials as sustainable jet fuel for aircraft to changing legislation to passenger perspectives.

“People are travelling more than ever, and the aviation industry is growing. It is crucial that this growth happens responsibly. Neste is working relentlessly to help airports and all aviation stakeholders to take advantage of sustainable low-carbon fuels in their operations. Besides sustainable low-carbon fuels, we are opening other opportunities for more sustainable aviation solutions through our Neste Green Hub solution. Decarbonizingaviation.com is an online platform for all aviation stakeholders who are working for the goal of carbon neutral growth in aviation,” continues Paoletta.

Neste is the world’s largest producer of renewable fuels from waste and residues alongside being the leading producer of renewable diesel, with an annual production volume of 2.6 million tons. By eliminating bottlenecks, this total capacity will be increased to 3 million tons by 2020. Renewable jet fuel is one of Neste’s growth areas. Neste has set a target that the proportion of the company’s renewable products sales outside the road traffic fuels increases to 20% by 2020.

Visit the Decarbonizing Aviation web page to learn more: http://decarbonizingaviation.com

Source: Neste Corporation

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‘Go Electric’: Heathrow Welcomes 50th Electric Vehicle

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Airport has the highest density of EV charging infrastructure in Europe

Heathrow Airport, December 7,2017: Heathrow has reached a key milestone in its pledge to ‘Go Electric’ with the delivery of the 50th electric vehicle to the airport’s fleet. This is a key step in Heathrow’s promise to make all of its cars and small vans electric or plug-in hybrid by 2020 to help improve air quality around the airport. The 50 electric vehicles reduce the airport’s fleet emissions by 165 tonnes CO2/year, equivalent to the amount of energy used by 18 homes annually.

This announcement comes as Heathrow celebrates receiving two awards for their fleet. The airport recently received the award for Ultra-Low Emission Infrastructure at the Energy Saving Trust’s 2017 Fleet Hero Awards. Heathrow won the accolade for the airport’s achievements growing the current charging infrastructure, which is now the site with the highest density of charging infrastructure in Europe. Heathrow’s has over 80 charging points available to passengers, colleagues and airside vehicles.

Since pledging to ‘Go Electric’, Heathrow has spent over £4 million in charging infrastructure, with a total of more than £5 million committed to be spent by the end of 2018. Heathrow is also actively working in collaboration with TfL (Transport for London) to install seven rapid charging points for black cabs before the end of 2017. These rapid charging points, some of the first in London, will support the Mayor’s requirements for all newly licensed black cabs to be either electric or plug in hybrid by  Jan 1, 2018. These chargers will be installed in Heathrow’s Taxi Feeder Park and will work over three times faster than the average charger.

This move, along with Heathrow’s efforts to provide new public transport options into the airport like Crossrail and a potential Western Rail access, will reduce emissions and congestion related to airport traffic, and set a bold direction towards a future of sustainable aviation.

Since committing to a new sustainability strategy, Heathrow 2.0, the airport has set out to establish itself as a world-leading airport in reducing emissions from all sources of activity, both on and off airport. Heathrow 2.0 is the airport’s plan for sustainable growth.  Heathrow 2.0 will allow the airport to expand to meet demand in a way that creates a positive impact on the community, environment and economy.

Source: Heathrow Airport

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ICAO’s International Civil Aviation Day on December 7

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Strong commitment to historic emissions control standards 

The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

In the Environmental domain especially in 2016, the aviation community’s strong commitment to come together on behalf of our planet has helped aviation to once again show its strength and leadership through new and historic emissions control Standards and agreements. 

As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention’s objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity.

Since 2014, every five years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries, the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. Between these anniversary years, Council representatives select a single theme for the full four-year intervening period. For 2015-2018 inclusive the Council has selected the following theme:  “Working Together to Ensure No Country is Left Behind”

International Civil Aviation Day was established in 1994 as part of ICAO’s 50th anniversary activities. In 1996, pursuant to an ICAO initiative and with the assistance of the Canadian Government, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized 7 December as International Civil Aviation Day in the UN system.

Source: ICAO

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China Airlines Takes Delivery of A350 XWB Powered with Biofuel Mix

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Taiwanese carrier joins sustainable fuel initiative for Airbusdelivery flights 

Toulouse, November 30, 2017: China Airlines of Taiwan has become the second airline to join a program to use a blend of traditional and sustainable biofuels to power aircraft for delivery flights from Airbus. The aircraft involved is the tenth A350-900 for China Airlines, which left the manufacturer’s delivery center in Toulouse today for its new home in Taipei with a 10 percent blend of sustainable jet fuel in its tanks.

The sustainable fuel option for delivery flights has been developed by Airbus in association with Air Total, the aviation subsidiary of the global energy operator. In order to stock the eco-friendly product, Air Total has installed the first ever biofuel station adjacent to the Airbus delivery center in Toulouse. A total of 21 aircraft have so far been delivered by Airbus since the facility was inaugurated in May 2016.

“China Airlines is proud to have taken delivery of its first aircraft to be partially powered by sustainable biofuel,” China Airlines ChairmanHo, Nuan-Hsuan said.  “This reflects our clear commitment to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment and to be among those airlines leading the way to use alternative fuel sources. With the A350 XWB in our fleet we are already significantly reducing our carbon footprint and we are excited that this can be extended even further with the use of new biofuels.”

“We are excited to welcome China Airlines to our sustainable fuel program,” said Frederic Eychenne, Head of New Energies at Airbus. “Today’s delivery demonstrates once again that biofuels are a reality today. We are moving towards the regular use of new and sustainable energy sources in our industry, helping to meet the commitments of the international civil aviation community.”

In addition to Toulouse, Airbus is now working towards introducing the option for the use of biofuels for delivery flights from its facilities in Hamburg, Germany and Mobile, US. First deliveries from these sites are set to begin in 2018. The option will also subsequently become available from the company’s facility in Tianjin, China.

Reflecting its strong commitment towards eco-efficiency, Airbus was the first manufacturer to offer its customers the option of delivering new aircraft with a blend of sustainable fuel. As part of its wider environmental strategy, the company Airbus intends to continue its efforts by collaborating with all stakeholders in the biofuels sector.

Source: Airbus

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Sustainability leader

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sustainable aviation

Heathrow: We Can Reduce Freight Emissions and Still Increase Our Cargo Capacity

Pledge to be a sustainability leader and a better neighbor to local communities

Heathrow, October 12, 2017: Speaking at the BCC International Trade Summit, Heathrow’s Non-Executive Chairman Lord Deighton announced a new ‘Blueprint for Sustainable Freight’ plan to reduce the impact of freight vehicles around Heathrow. Lord Deighton’s speech is the first time the airport has publicly addressed the challenge of the environmental impacts of cargo and set out its plans to ensure that even as Heathrow and freight volumes grow with expansion, overall airport-related traffic on the road does not increase in number compared to today.

Heathrow is the UK’s biggest port by value – responsible for handling over 30% of the country’s non-EU exports by value – more than the ports of Southampton and Felixstowe combined.  Heathrow’s role as a trading hub will grow as expansion takes place, with cargo capacity set to double with the addition of a third runway.  Currently, the majority of freight movements – 2.75 million freight vehicle movements each year- are made to support the airport’s cargo operations.

The ten practical steps set out by Lord Deighton in his speech today detail how freight operations can be more efficient, responsible and sustainable in the future. These proposed steps include:

  • Using innovation through tools like a load consolidation “ Heathrow Cargo Cloud” app for local forwarders and the trial of low emission freight vehicles and geo-fencing technology to reduce emissions on local roads;
  • Investments in airfield charging points to install an ultra-low emission zone for vehicles on-airport;
  • Modernizing cargo infrastructure at the airport to allow for more airside transshipments, consolidation points away from airport local roads and a new cargo village that reduces unnecessary vehicle movements;
  • Working with local authorities to address congestion points with a  Code of Conduct for operators, and a joint strategic freight plan for local roads.

The steps outlined today show how the airport is delivering against the commitments set out in Heathrow 2.0, the airport’s sustainability strategy. Along with Heathrow’s ambitious plans to increase public transport use, and push forward on incentives like car sharing and taxi back-filling these steps will ensure that there is no more airport-related traffic on the roads compared to today with expansion.

sustainable aviation

New Heathrow cargo concept: delivering benefits for both, the environment and the economy
Photo: Heathrow Airport

Source: Heathrow Airport

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Neste Collaborates with Geneva Airport

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sustainable aviation

Joint efforts to offer sustainable solutions for aviation

Geneva, Keilaranta, September 13, 2017: Neste and Genève Aéroport are pioneering together to make flying more sustainable by starting to decarbonize aviation towards fossil neutral growth. Genève Aéroport is planning the introduction of renewable jet fuel for aircraft operations from Geneva International Airport; the target shall be at least 1% of the annual jet fuel consumption at Genève Aéroport shall be composed of renewable jet fuel starting late 2018. This is an excellent example of a state, an airport and a renewable solutions provider collaborating to decrease CO2 emissions in aviation.

“Genève Aéroport is exemplary in sustainability with its ambitious goals to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. We are very excited to collaborate with Genève Aéroport and their airline partners to show the way to the aviation sector. We both share the common view that decreasing CO2 emissions in aviation is crucial in combating climate change. This is an important step for Neste in implementing our growth strategy for renewables in applications outside road traffic fuels. Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel is Neste’s sustainable solution for reducing CO2 emissions in aviation,” says Kaisa Hietala, Executive Vice President in the Renewable Product business area in Neste.

“As aviation is growing, airports have a crucial role in taking initiatives which aim at reducing environmental impact. Genève Aéroport is particularly pleased to work in this very ambitious project together with Neste, the Swiss authorities, airlines operating from Geneva, and locally established fuel companies,” says André Schneider, CEO of Genève Aéroport.

Aviation is the fastest growing means of transport and thus emissions will grow substantially. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a target that from 2020 onwards the growth in aviation is carbon-neutral. Currently, the only viable alternative to fossil liquid fuels for powering commercial aircraft is sustainable renewable jet fuel, which is one the most efficient means of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. It can be adopted immediately without the need for additional investments in new fuel distribution infrastructure.

For Neste, the development of Neste MY Renewable Jet Fuel (TM) has been a long journey taking several years:  from building proof of concept to ensuring the quality and performance that fully meet the aviation industry’s expectations. Neste’s renewable jet fuel technology and quality is proven in thousands of commercial flights by e.g. Lufthansa and is now ready for commercialization.

sustainable aviation

Neste collaborates with Genève Aéroport to offer sustainable and renewable solutions for aviation

Neste is the world’s leading renewable diesel producer from waste and residues, and with its renewable diesel it has helped to decarbonize traffic by 33 million tons over the past 10 years. This is equivalent to 2 years’ emissions from the Swiss transport sector. Now this expertise and renewable solution is available for aviation.

Source: Neste Corporation

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ATAG: Global Sustainable Aviation Summit 2017

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International Association for Sustainable Aviation e.V.

ATAG’s next forum for the world’s aviation community will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 3-4, 2017. The forum will cover activities of the international aviation community to reduce CO2-emissions and discuss the introduction of ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The forum will be sponsored by IATA and organized by the Air Transport Action Group ATAG. For further information please visit www.atag.org

Source:ATAG

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United Airlines and Audubon International Team Up to Protect Raptors at New York-Area Airports

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Audubon

Relocating birds-of-prey to safer habitats and help reduce damage to aircraft

New York, July 24, 2017: United Airlines and its award-winning Eco-Skies program are teaming up with Audubon International, the not-for-profit environmental education organization dedicated to sustainable natural resource management, to protect raptors – including hawks, ospreys and owls – in and around New York-area airports and resettle the birds-of-prey at suitable golf course habitats where the species are more likely to thrive.

The United Eco-Skies Raptor Relocation Program, which the airline plans to launch at Newark Liberty International Airport later this month, will protect at-risk and threatened species such as the American kestrel by transporting the raptors to golf courses certified within the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. As the official airline of the PGA TOUR®, United is uniquely positioned to help identify suitable golf course habitats with Audubon International for relocation purposes and help inform the public on the importance of environmental sustainability.

Additionally, United and Audubon International will work closely with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which partners with other agencies to safely capture threatened birds at New York-area airports.

“Audubon International is excited to be working with United Airlines’ Eco-Skies program on the Raptor Relocation Program,” said Christine Kane, Audubon International’s executive director. “Thousands of golf courses across the world have adopted environmentally sustainable property management practices that support wildlife habitat through our Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Bringing this all together to provide safe, high-quality habitat for raptors is a great success.”

“The presence of wildlife at our airports can pose a challenge to pilots operating commercial aircraft,” said Laura Francoeur, the Port Authority’s chief wildlife biologist. “The agency implements wildlife management measures to reduce these challenges, and we continue to work with our airline partners and organizations such as United and Audubon International to ensure safe operations while protecting nature.”

Audubon

Source: United

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