Aviation has a significant socio-economic impact on all of our lives, not only in Europe but around the world. Thanks to connected airspace, businesses thrive, trade is facilitated, packages are delivered around the world, families are reunited, tourists explore the world, professionals come together, and for a better future. can discuss new ideas for
Axel Kerin is Executive Director of Clean Aviation.
According to the European Aerospace and Defense Industry Association, the European aviation sector currently supports around 10 million jobs by enabling tourism and supply through airline and airport operations, aerospace manufacturing and services. It accounts for €672 billion in economic activity in the European Union. chain.
Despite aviation’s impressive track record when it comes to rising wealth in Europe, the environmental impact of air travel can no longer be ignored. That is why the Clean Sky, Clean Sky 2 and Clean Aviation programs have explored new disruptive technologies that could revolutionize Europe’s airspace and make it greener.
Roland Berger conducts research to quantify exactly how much socio-economic impact the Clean Sky 2 program has had since its inception in 2014, given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine crisis Did. The study also explored the future outlook for the aviation sector and what impact the Clean Sky 2 program will have going forward as the technology we develop matures and hits the market.
growing sector
One of the key takeaways from the report was that the European aviation sector looks set to continue its growth trajectory. Up to 18.5 million European jobs will be supported by the aviation sector in 2050. These posts include roles not directly related to aviation. It shows the ripple effects of a strong aerospace sector on the rest of the economy, including supply chains and tourism positions.
great value for investment
Investments in science, technology and innovation are important drivers of economic growth and competitiveness. For the Clean Sky 2 project alone, from 2015 he will support around 5,000 jobs between 2024.
This figure takes into account not only the allocation of research grants, but also the companies’ own contributions to the project and additional activities and costs outside the scope of Clean Sky 2’s work plan but contributing to our objectives. I’m here.
Once Clean Sky 2 technologies enter the market, they will continue to bring economic benefits. A total real net present value of €8.6 billion is expected by 2050. This represents more than three times his initial public and private investment.
Between 2015 and 2024, R&D activities funded by Clean Sky 2 grants and contributions to projects companies are working on (e.g. personnel and procurement costs) will reach an average of €109 million annually in Europe. contributes directly to the GDP of
Achievement of environmental targets
Of course, these economic benefits are in addition to the environmental benefits brought by the Clean Sky 2 innovations. We are well on our mission to create technologies that can significantly reduce the carbon, NOx and noise impacts of aircraft. Global social value of CO reduction2 Emissions from our technology could amount to €200 billion between 2035 and 2050.
Clean Sky 2 technology will reduce carbon dioxide emissions per seat-kilometer by 15% by 2050 and NOx emissions by 31% within the same parameters compared to 2014 technology. Overall, the study estimates that by 2050, the integration of Clean Sky technology into aircraft worldwide will ultimately result in a total global environmental value of €320 billion. 60% of this is from CO.2 reduction, 40% due to NOx reduction.
Clean Aviation, We Can’t Do It Alone
Of course, the Clean Sky story doesn’t end with Clean Sky 2! The first Call for Proposals for Clean Aviation is already open in 2022. Official results are expected by the end of September.
Clean Aviation focuses on three driving forces as the backbone of our climate neutrality efforts. But you can’t do this alone. A few other pieces of the puzzle also need to be placed.
Accelerate adoption of 2030+ Entry in Service aircraft. A typical commercial aircraft today has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Encouraging retirement and new purchases through regulatory and commercial incentives may be essential.
Shorten the design, development and certification cycle. The process of getting these new aircraft off the drawing board and into the sky must be accelerated. We need to improve our manufacturing systems so that we can fly cleaner, better aircraft faster without compromising safety standards. This aligns perfectly with the need to shorten aircraft design and development cycles. Where and how can processes be optimized to ensure a smooth and fast transition?
Reconfigure aviation and ATC infrastructure. Air traffic control and aviation infrastructure need urgent review. As for hydrogen, it’s three times as much as kerosene, so airports and the like will need bigger tanks and storage facilities. If Europe were to host a large fleet of hydrogen-powered aircraft, it would need a full suite of new infrastructure.
Sustainable fuels are essential to the clean aviation revolution, thus increasing their availability, but the supply chain and raw materials for these fuels are not yet well defined. Enabling these new eco-friendly aircraft To do so, we need a sufficient and continuous supply of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen.
Enabling adoption of new aviation network strategies is key to unlocking the full potential of regional aircraft with new propulsion systems such as hydrogen (fuel cells) and battery electricity. Despite their lower range, these aircraft could be a major part of decarbonization due to new network strategies such as decentralized aviation, more point-to-point, dehab, and flight consolidation.
Develop and implement mitigation strategies for non-CO₂ effects. Finally, it is clear that non-CO2 impacts exist and that the total climate impact of aviation could be two to four times that of CO2 alone. There is a need for improved research on these non-CO2 effects, especially with respect to these effects, for newer, cleaner aircraft.
Overall, the impact of the disruptive technology developed by Clean Sky 2 and Clean Aviation has far-reaching consequences beyond the obvious environmental benefits. Our programs have a social and economic knock-on effect, creating jobs, fostering innovation, generating wealth and reducing the environmental impact of the air transport sector.
An independent study of the socio-economic impact of the Clean Sky 2 program can be found here.
