Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from activities outside a company's direct operations but which still impact its carbon footprint, such as product transport, waste disposal, and energy use by suppliers and customers.
In an effort to combat climate change, Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, has outlined a comprehensive approach to reduce its Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly those generated during the usage phase of its commercial aircraft. These downstream emissions account for a significant portion of Airbus's total carbon footprint.
The strategy involves several key components:
- Promoting the Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Airbus incorporates the potential usage of SAF throughout the product lifecycle into its Scope 3 emissions estimates. The company is also actively pursuing long-term agreements to increase the availability of SAF, which can significantly lower lifecycle emissions from fuel use during aircraft operations.
- Developing Next-Generation Aircraft: Airbus is working on designing and delivering more fuel-efficient aircraft. These new models reduce fuel burn and thus emissions during service, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
- Improving Aerodynamic Performance and Engine Efficiency: By optimising aircraft design and engine technology, Airbus aims to enhance fuel efficiency during downstream use, thereby reducing emissions linked to customer operation of aircraft.
- Supporting Operational Efficiency Improvements for Customers: Airbus encourages airlines to adopt more efficient operational practices, such as optimised routing and reduced taxiing emissions, which are partially considered in Scope 3. Although auxiliary power units and ground equipment are not included in Airbus's reporting, reducing overall operational emissions positively impacts downstream Scope 3.
- Collaborative Industry Initiatives and Regulatory Frameworks: Airbus is actively engaged in partnerships and declarations, like the Global SAF Declaration, to foster broader adoption of sustainable fuels and emission reduction technologies across the aviation value chain.
- Climate Resilience and Adaptation Services: Airbus Protect offers climate resilience and adaptation consulting, helping airlines and airports mitigate climate risks that indirectly influence operational emissions, making downstream systems more efficient and reliable.
Airbus's Sustainable Supply Chain Roadmap involves working with suppliers to assess their sustainability risks. The company focuses on evaluating the sustainability maturity of its suppliers and engaging with them through associations like the International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG).
Decarbonisation at Airbus requires not only innovation but also industry-wide collaboration. The transition to less carbon-intensive fuels and alternative forms of energy is crucial, as is the continuous improvement of products. Scope 3 emissions, which primarily concern emissions from goods and services purchased from suppliers (upstream) and the use of the products sold (downstream), are extremely important but also the most challenging to address.
In summary, Airbus's approach to reducing downstream Scope 3 emissions involves aircraft technological innovation, the promotion of sustainable fuels, the support of operational efficiency among customers, and the engagement in collaborative industry efforts. These efforts are all supported by data-driven environmental monitoring and climate adaptation planning.
- Recognizing the role of environmental science in combating climate change, Airbus is collaborating with industry organizations like the International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG) to assess the sustainability risks of its supply chain.
- With the increasing emphasis on finance in the business world, Airbus is also focusing on the monetary aspects, exploring long-term agreements to boost the availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can significantly lower lifecycle emissions from fuel use during aircraft operations.
- In the realm of aerospace, Airbus is researching and developing next-generation aircraft that will not only be fuel-efficient but also contribute to a smaller environmental footprint, reducing emissions during the usage phase.
