Comment: Aviation’s Future is Sustainable

Embraer aims to be carbon neutral by 2040 and achieve carbon neutral growth from 2022. We plan to implement 25 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use in our operations by 2040 and 100 per cent renewable energy sources by 2030. Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our entire production chain from processes to facilities to our supply network. In 2002, Embraer was the first aircraft manufacturer to receive the ISO 14001 certification in environmental management of our production and design processes.  

In 2004, Embraer pioneered the design of the world’s first production airplane powered by biofuel, the Ipanema. Today, the Ipanema is our testbed for electrification. Over the years, we have been undertaking flight testing and extensive research on different types of biofuels and blends, from camelina, sugarcane and ethanol. In 2016, together with KLM, we pioneered 80 flights with the E190 using a 25 per cent Camelina SAF blend. 

Fast forward to 2018, we certified the newest family of E-Jets, the E-Jets E2. It is the industry’s most efficient single-aisle jet family. The E-Jets E2 family is characterised by low emissions, low noise footprint and cutting-edge fuel savings. Given this, it has the lowest operating costs among all single-aisle jets.  

The drastic reduction in emissions we have achieved in the E190-E2 and E195-E2, up to 25 per cent less than our first-generation E-Jets, does not just make us look good, it makes our customers look good too. Airlines like KLM and Helvetica (Switzerland) and others that have stringent emission standards are deploying the E190-E2 and E195-E2, and it is popular among passengers too. 

The environmental issue will be of greater urgency for the industry in the years ahead and this has several implications for airlines:  

• Operational improvement: Airlines will phase out their older fleet and acquire more fuel-efficient fleets. Given the rising oil prices on top of the other challenges that the COVID crisis has brought about, fleet modernisation makes perfect sense. 
• Finance and ESG: Due to reduced liquidity in the market, airlines that are able to demonstrate better ESG credentials will have a competitive advantage to access financing. 

As we step out of the COVID crisis, airlines will have to juggle sustainability and profitability with a changed level of passenger demand. With right-sized aircraft that better match capacity to demand, airlines can benefit from lower emissions, lower trip costs, and manage their yield management more effectively.  

Technology of the future 

As part of Embraer’s efforts to achieve net zero carbon solutions by 2050, we have rolled out several initiatives including the expansion of SAF compatibility and production. We have embarked on the continuous improvement of our products, and the development of new technologies. You can look forward to the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) developed by Embraer’s spinoff company EVE which is poised to enter into service by 2026. Eve has clinched orders from Australian operators like Sydney Seaplanes, Nautilus Aviation and Microflite. 

We are also developing a next-generation turboprop that is designed to leapfrog a 40-year technological gap in this segment. The rear fuselage-mounted engines will provide a jet-like experience: for passengers, a quiet cabin, and for airlines — game-changing characteristics like faster turnaround times, faster climb speed, reduced fuel emissions and jet bridge compatibility. 

In addition to this, we unveiled the Energia family which is comprised of four concept aircraft of varying sizes that incorporate different propulsion technologies – hybrid-electric, electric, hydrogen fuel cell and dual fuel gas turbine. 

For a company that has been constantly innovating since our establishment in 1969, we embrace this challenge. With the co-operation of the industry, we hope to make low-emissions travel like this a reality.