Airbus's decarbonisation goals, set by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), have been affirmed as valid.

Airbus's decarbonisation goals, set by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), have been affirmed as valid.

Airbus, a global leader in the aerospace industry, has taken a significant step towards decarbonising the sector by committing to science-based targets for its entire set of emissions. The company received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its greenhouse gas emissions near-term reduction targets on February 16, 2023.

The SBTi, established in 2015, is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The initiative helps companies to set emissions-reduction targets in line with climate science and the Paris Agreement goals.

Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, expressed his commitment to leading the decarbonisation of the aerospace sector. He emphasised that aviation can continue to play its precious role in society with these decarbonisation efforts.

To achieve its science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, Airbus is implementing several key strategies:

1. Increasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) uptake: Airbus is actively promoting the use of SAF, a low-carbon fuel alternative that significantly reduces emissions from commercial aircraft. In 2024, the proportion of SAF used in Airbus’s own operations reached about 18%.
2. Designing more fuel-efficient commercial aircraft: Airbus focuses on fuel efficiency improvements through technologies such as lightweight materials, next-generation engines, and adaptive wing technology. For example, aircraft like the Airbus A350 deliver up to 25% greater fuel efficiency compared to older models.
3. Targeting Scope 3 emissions: Airbus’s SBTi-approved targets include reducing emissions related to the upstream production of fuel and the use of sold products (i.e., aircraft operated by customers), which make up over 90% of the company’s total emissions.
4. External verification and transparent reporting: Airbus publishes independently audited sustainability statements that detail emissions performance and progress towards SBTi targets, showing demonstrated reduction in carbon intensity.

Airbus has also committed to reducing by 46% the greenhouse gas emissions intensity generated by its commercial aircraft in service (Scope 3 - Use of Sold Product) by 2035. The company intends to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 industrial emissions by up to 63% by 2030, in line with a 1.5°C pathway.

These targets have been independently assessed and validated by the SBTi, based on the 2015 year as a baseline and in line with the Paris Agreement goals. With over 4,000 companies worldwide having joined the SBTi since its inception, Airbus is demonstrating its determination to achieve the set targets and invest in solutions that will help decarbonise the industry.

1. The SBTi, established in collaboration with CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), assists companies like Airbus in setting emissions-reduction targets based on environmental-science and the Paris Agreement goals.
2. In an effort to reach its science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, Airbus is providing financial support for the development of innovative energy solutions within the industry.
3. Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, believes that the decarbonisation of the aerospace sector is crucial for balancing climate-change concerns with the vital role aviation plays in our society, particularly in terms of environmental-science and sustainability.

Read also: