Air France is aiming for a 12% reduction in its CO2 emissions by 2030

Europe 1 with AFP 1:35 p.m., April 13, 2022

Air France is aiming for a 12% drop in its CO2 emissions in absolute value in 2030 compared to 2019, in particular through the renewal of its fleet and increased use of sustainable fuels, the airline announced on Wednesday.

This objective corresponds to a 30% reduction in emissions per passenger-kilometre (one of the benchmarks for the sector) over 11 years, according to the company, the differential being due to the expected growth in traffic, estimated by the sector at around 2% on an annual basis.

Air transport singled out 

These new commitments are revealed at a time when air transport is singled out for its contribution to global warming, although it only represents between 2.5 and 3% of total CO2 emissions.

But this relative share is set to increase, given the pace of growth that the sector expects beyond the effects of Covid-19, which almost cut its global clientele by three in 2020 compared to 2019.

That year, 4.5 billion air trips took place worldwide.

In 2050, the International Air Transport Association (Iata), the voice of the companies, envisages 10 billion.

Iata members have committed to "net zero emissions" of CO2 by 2050, thanks to net reductions but also the controversial use of carbon offsets.

This 2050 objective was reaffirmed on Wednesday by Air France.

New generation less polluting devices 

Its commitment for 2030, which would represent an acceleration of its efforts, has been submitted to the reference consortium "Science-Based Targets initiative", which validates that the objectives are based on climate science and in line with the Paris agreement.

The French company thus claims to have reduced its net emissions by 6% between 2005 and 2019, despite a traffic increase of 32%.

To reduce its net emissions, Air France argues that it is investing heavily in new generation aircraft that pollute less than their predecessors, such as the medium-haul Airbus A220 and long-haul A350.

"By 2030, these aircraft will represent 70% of the Air France fleet compared to 7% today thanks to an investment of one billion euros per year by 2025", assured the company.

It also wants to intensify the use of sustainable aviation fuels, of non-fossil origin, with "at least 10% incorporation on all its flights (by 2030), and 63% in 2050 ", compared to 1% currently on departure from France, in accordance with the regulations.

Among the other levers, Air France mentions the optimization of flight paths and ground operations, the fight against food waste and the development of intermodality in cooperation with the SNCF.