Digital Technology, a true accelerator for sustainable aviation
A carbon-neutral aeronautics industry in 2050? This is a challenge that will transform a sector that is vital to the economy and mobility. Given its international dimension, its impact on employment and continuity of trade and tourism, the sector must succeed in its transition to reduce its environmental and social impact.
The challenge is even more difficult, as in the same time, air transport will increase by an average of 4.2% per annum over the next 20 years (IATA outlook for Air transport).
On October 7, 2022, 193 member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted the "net zero CO2" objective for 2050. In the framework of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), a roadmap to achieve this goal, has been co-constructed by leading players in the aviation industry.
This roadmap relies on major transformation axes mobilizing the entire value chain:
- Deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), as coming from biomass
- Development of new decarbonized aircraft as electric-, hybrid- and hydrogen-powered propulsion
- Optimization of operations and infrastructure optimized trajectories, reduction of contrails or traffic decongestion.
- The last lever, for remaining emissions, would be the instruments of market-based measures (MBMs), as CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation or the EU ETS (European Emissions Trading System).
Moreover, in addition to climate change, the aeronautics sector must address other sustainability challenges, such as resources scarcity, the noise pollution or the impacts on biodiversity. This is why the sector is building its new paradigm and turn the corner of transformation towards sustainable aviation for a better future.
Responsible digital technology for sustainable aviation
As a tech leader committed to sustainable digital technology, Sopra Steria is contributing to this collective dynamic and is convinced that digital technology plays a key role in accelerating sustainable aviation. The deployment of Aeroline SUSTAIN program across the group demonstrates our commitment to this major transformation of the sector.