Page 56 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2017 publication
P. 56
56 Summer 2017 European Energy Innovation
SUSTAINABLE AVIATION
Innovation is key for
sustainable aviation
By Monika Hohlmeier, MEP
The Aeronautics Sector is a As mentioned in the Aviation strategy aeronautical industry is recognised
strong driver of economic of the European Commission, growth in as one of the top five advanced
growth, high qualified jobs, air traffic in Europe and worldwide must technology sectors in Europe. It is
trade and mobility for the go hand in hand with maintaining high one of the most R&D intensive sectors
European Union. The EU aviation standards of aviation safety as well as in Europe, dedicating more than
industry directly employs up to 2 contributing to the fight against climate 12% of its turnover to research and
million people and overall supports change. In short, aviation must grow development and 16% of its employees
around 5.5 million jobs. While the in a sustainable manner to ensure the work in R&D. For that reason, the
number of passenger planes is future competitiveness of air transport. European Parliament in general and the
expected to double between 2015 and However, that is very difficult to realize members of the Sky&Space Intergroup
2035, without further measures, CO2 as the aeronautics industry is one of in particular are always supporting
emissions from international aviation the most global industries, which is research activities by the industry
are estimated to quadruple by 2050 faced by a fierce global environment. through Horizon 2020 funded projects
compared to 2010. In fact, if global Especially, the international aviation like Clean Sky as well as SESAR.
aviation was a country, it would rank in sector outside Europe is characterised
the top 10 emitters. by very strong growth – up to 10 Clean Sky has been an unambiguous
percent in certain world regions, such success story not only environmentally,
as the Middle East. For that reason, but also in establishing a robust
maximising fuel efficiency, using less innovation network in bringing
to go farther, is also a key cost-cutting together companies, universities and
factor in a very competitive industry. public laboratories. In detail, Clean
As game-changing innovation in this Sky has brought together over 560
sector is risky, complex and expensive, participants, with around 40% being
and requires long-term commitment, innovative SMEs. This joint undertaking
all relevant European stakeholders shows also that a private public
must work together to develop proof- partnership in funding, established by
of-concept demonstrators. For that the EU and the European aeronautical
reason, the continuation of the very industry, is very successful. The
successful grant-based funding scheme initial Clean Sky Programme, which
of the European Commission is crucial was running from 2008-2016, had a
to maintain the competitiveness of budget of €1.6 billion. The European
European companies and research Commission’s Framework Programme
institutions in a time of increasingly 7 provided half of this amount and the
fierce global environment. In addition, other half was provided by financial
the flight ticket taxes and fees related contributions from the industry leaders.
to CO2 emissions should be reinvested It is estimated that the technology
solely in research and environmental developments made could reduce
innovation efforts aiming to achieve aviation CO2 emissions by more than
carbon neutral growth for aviation. 20% with respect to the 2000 baseline
levels which would mean an aggregate
As sustainable aviation is highly reduction of 2 to 3 billion tonnes of
dependent on innovation, the CO2 over the next 35 years. Following
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
