As part of its ongoing commitment to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, Air France is launching “Air France ACT,” setting out the airline’s new CO2 emissions reduction strategy.
This strategy comprises three priorities: Reducing direct emissions generated by Air France operations; reducing indirect emissions generated upstream and downstream of the company’s activities; and supporting projects that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
The new decarbonization trajectory targets a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 2030 compared to 2019. This objective excludes so-called “offsetting” actions to consider measures that exclusively reduce direct and indirect emissions. It corresponds to a 12 percent reduction in the company’s total emissions between 2019 and 2030, in line with expected changes in activity, after a six percent reduction achieved between 2005 and 2019.
By 2050, Air France aims to achieve net-zero emissions. The company is working to define a decarbonization trajectory for 2050, based on a set of hypotheses – notably concerning an evolution of traffic – which may vary. The airline is also activating the decarbonization mechanisms it has at its disposal, divided into five categories.
Air France will focus on fleet renewal with new-generation aircraft, Airbus A220 and Airbus A350. These are more fuel-efficient, emitting up to 25 percent less CO2, and a noise footprint reduced by 33 percent on average. By 2030, these aircraft will make up 70 percent of the Air France fleet compared to seven percent currently.
Air France will increase its use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which will reduce CO2 emissions by 80 percent on average over the fuel life cycle, and not create competition with food production. By 2030, the company aims to incorporate at least 10 percent SAF on all its flights, and 63 percent in 2050.
The airline employs eco-piloting techniques, such as taxiing using only one of the engines whenever possible; optimized flight paths using artificial intelligence; and continuous descent in cooperation with the air traffic control authorities, among others. These initiatives have helped reduce CO2 emissions by two to three percent on average over the year.
Onboard flights and in the lounges Air France favors local, seasonal produce whenever possible. The company also offers customers a pre-selection of dishes before the flight in the long-haul Business cabin, as part of its active commitment to reducing food waste. By the end of 2022, Air France aims to eliminate 90 percent of single-use plastics compared to 2018, after having replaced in 2019 plastic cups, cutlery and stirrers with sustainable alternatives.
The airline aims to develop intermodal transport to offer low-carbon transport alternatives for short distance journeys, notably within a reinforced partnership between Air France and French national rail operator SNCF.
To present Air France’s environmental strategy and all its commitments in greater detail, the company is launching a video campaign and dedicated website for “Air France ACT,” aimed at the public, available in French and English versions.
For more information, visit airfranceact.airfrance.com.
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