The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a significant breakthrough in sustainability in the aviation sector. Both government and private entities strive to achieve an effective balance between meeting the growing demands of air transportation and preserving the environment.
The sustainability breakthrough in the aviation industry extends beyond specific areas, encompassing various entities and aspects, including airports, airlines, sustainable fuel initiatives, and a more sustainable industrial sector in aviation. In this realm, the UAE is making significant efforts to establish innovative infrastructure, develop environmentally friendly airports, and adopt smart aviation technologies to enhance flight efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Dubai Airports set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions from the operation of Dubai International Airport significantly by 2030 and collaborate with other stakeholders to enhance sustainable aviation practices.
Dubai airports’ initiatives include improving th
e efficiency of many operations and services within the airport, such as enhanced lighting, redirecting 60% of waste from landfills, adopting clean energy solutions, utilising eco-friendly transportation models, and using sustainable aviation fuel and renewable energy sources for lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
In Abu Dhabi Airport, sustainability is a fundamental pillar in the design of Terminal A, with 7,540 solar panel parking shades installed on the long-term car park to perform the dual purpose of shading the cars and reducing carbon emissions. Terminal A saves 5,300 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equating to emissions from 1,060 vehicles (average family usage) for 12 months.
Terminal A is “Green Building Certified” under the PBRS with 3 Pearls at the design stage, and more than 70% of plants used at the terminal’s campus landscaping are native and adaptive species that are both drought and saline-resistant.
During its construction phase, more than 90% of the steel used was
recycled, and 82% of the timber used was certified and sourced from legal and sustainable sources. Water efficient fixtures and fittings have been installed throughout Terminal A, resulting in a 45% improvement over the Estidama benchmark figures.
The UAE’s efforts in sustainability are evident through the initiatives of its airlines, which actively encourage and adopt sustainable innovations and developments to contribute to environmental protection.
Etihad Airways is leading the development of new sustainable fuel types to significantly reduce carbon emissions by producing biofuels from water-tolerant plants, pledging to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The sustainability strategy of Etihad Airways is based on the principles of reducing carbon emissions by implementing aviation sector-specific measures. It aligns with voluntary plans and frameworks applied by sector partners and collaborates with relevant authorities. The strategy emphasises transparency, proactive solutions for sustainability
issues, and continuous development of a strategic roadmap to achieve these goals.
Emirates Airlines, on the other hand, adopts numerous initiatives to strengthen a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation sector. This includes allocating US$ 200 million to fund research and development (RD) projects focussed on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation, the biggest single commitment by any airline on sustainability.
Emirates’ long-term environmental policy and strategy focus on emissions’ reduction, responsible consumption, and conservation of wildlife and habitats. The airline completed its first experimental flight with an aircraft engine powered by 100% sustainable fuel.
The aviation fuel file is prominently featured in the UAE’s national agenda, leading to establishing the Committee on Sustainable and Low Carbon Aviation Fuels in 2020. The committee, chaired by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Economy, the General Civil Aviation Authority, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
The committee aims to formulate a comprehensive national policy on sustainable aviation fuel and low carbon fuel, attract foreign and domestic investment in sustainable energy in the aviation sector, support local development of scientific research in key related areas, and support the General Civil Aviation Authority in regional and international negotiations related to climate change mitigation with a focus on the aviation sector.
The Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) leads various efforts to support the development of the sustainable aviation fuel sector in the UAE and globally. It has signed agreements with Boeing and Airbus in this field, supporting the trends towards achieving climate neutrality for the commercial aviation sector by 2050.
On another note, ADNOC announced last October that its
Ruwais Refinery has received International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), making it the first company in the Middle East to earn the distinction.
With this international certification for producing sustainable aircraft fuel through the co-processing of current refining processes, following the carbon offset and reduction plan in international aviation, ADNOC will be able to supply international airlines at Abu Dhabi International Airport with sustainable fuel produced from used cooking oil feedstock that is blended with jet fuel at ADNOC’s Ruwais Refinery.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)