In 2016 alone, nearly $64 billion was invested in airport infrastructure, and despite this primarily in Asia and the Americas, much closer to home, Airbus adopted the UN SDGs and progressed to “Advanced Level”. Through their Vigilance Plan, they are tackling aircraft carbon dioxide emissions and providing innovation and industrialization for a better-connected, and safer world.
Electric Flight
Airbus is working to facilitate electric flight by using electric and hybrid-electric energy. Electric planes are like electric cars, with fewer emissions, but in the air instead of on the road. In 2010, Airbus developed CriCri, the world's first fully electric aircraft. This year, Airbus is due to launch an electric airplane race, Air Race E. The world's first fully electric airplane race is to pioneer innovations in sustainable aircraft. Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus said,
“By 2050, we have made the commitment to bring CO2 emissions to half of 2005 levels… Our total respect for the planet lay the foundation for a more sustainable aviation industry”.
Urban Air Mobility
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an automated passenger or cargo-carrying air transportation service, typically flown without a pilot; these services will bring new ways to travel whilst reducing congestion (longer journeys with higher emissions). This will build a better-connected world. It is predicted that by 2030, 60% of the world’s population will be urban; creating a real need for innovative mobility. UAM is a convenient method to use the airspace above cities. UAM develops and builds the infrastructure needed to allow air taxis and delivery drones to operate. CityAirbus is an electric multi-copter vehicle demonstrator with a low environmental footprint, piloted remotely for an independent flight. For more information click here.
Other innovative ideas on their page include ZEROe, MAVERIC and Zephyr.
AIRBUS BizLab
Airbus BizLab, based in Toulouse, Madrid, Hamburg, and Bangalore, is the network that accelerates the transformation from innovative ideas into valuable businesses. They invite start-ups to showcase their ideas, and Airbus coaches and experts provide advice to rapidly industrialize the world. After being launched in 2015, Airbus BizLab accelerated projects have raised a combined €19.5 million. This profit will continue to drive the direction of innovation initiatives. Similarly, the ‘Airnovation Summer Academy’ provides participants real aircraft problems to solve sustainably, to foster talent. This video (French), explains in-depth what the BizLab in Toulouse does.
But don’t worry! It is not just Airbus working to support SDG 9! Aviation is actually one of the most innovative industries in the world. For example, according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, the value of airport infrastructure in Canada was $59 billion in GDP in 2015. The Clean Sky Joint Undertaking and Boeing are currently undertaking ground-breaking work on efficient technology, innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
Really interesting!