Embraer plans to encourage positive solutions around climate change through its Energy Sustainable Flight initiative, which is designed to explore a range of sustainable concepts for carrying up to 50 passengers.
To do this, Energia is looking at a range of energy sources, propulsion architectures and airframe layouts that seek to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030, an important step toward becoming net carbon neutral by 2050.
To this end, Embraer completed its first “Start-up Day” earlier this week to encourage startup organizations and new entrants to join and collaborate on its Energy Sustainable Flight initiative with the most innovative technologies . The company says it is looking for technologies with the most significant potential to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, especially early-stage startups that will have an essential role in solving technological bottlenecks.
In this first iteration of Start-up Day, 16 organizations from around the world presented their technologies to the Energy Team with solutions in electric and hybrid-electric powertrains, fuel cells; hydrogen storage; and battery technology.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “It is delighted to attract many exciting organizations from around the world, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, to our Energia initiative.” , said in a statement.
In the third quarter of 2022, the Energia team will aim to make their first down selection after reviewing all proposals.
Meanwhile, Embraer’s Head of Zero Emissions Innovation, Carlos Ilario, said innovation needs to be encouraged to meet the “climate challenge” and added, “We believe that a growing ecosystem of small, tech-savvy startups has a great contribution – if given the opportunity.” Ilario also said that it is necessary to harness all the available talents of the world, who will be able to work towards practical answers to climate change.
Going forward, Embraer will host more start-up days and plans to add other areas of interest, such as sustainable cabin design, connectivity, ground handling, clean energy generation, and more.
[Courtesy: Embraer]
Embraer and 4AIR Partner Up
In keeping with its march towards sustainable aviation, Embraer announced a partnership with 4AIR to allow Embraer customers to tap into its carbon offset program. In partnership, Johann Bourdais, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, said, “Our partnership with 4AIR will encourage business jet customers to make their long-term commitment to sustainability.
“We want to demonstrate the ways they can start to act now, even though alternatives like SAFs are not yet abundant and new technologies are still in development.”
To achieve this, customers can take advantage of Embraer’s Executive Care Program. They will receive 25 hours of complimentary carbon-neutral flight hours through 4AIR, allowing them to offset their carbon emissions during their first year of ownership.
4AIR President Kennedy Ricci said the partnership would “start owners on the right foot” in their sustainable journey and added that Offset would have a “real impact”. Projects funded by the 4AIR Carbon Offset Credit include renewable energy programs, the enhancement of carbon-absorbing forests, and support for local projects that reduce deforestation, creating social and economic benefits.
“These credits will offset the climate impact of their flight activity and create real economic benefits for people in the countries where these credits fund projects,” Ricci said.
After completing 25 flight hours through the inaugural Executive Care Program, Embraer’s customers will be able to continue their commitment through various 4AIR programs. These programs will provide solutions to eliminate emissions from direct missions, such as using SAFs or making operational changes to the way they do business on the ground.
Embraer announced new ESG targets in 2021 and said it is in the process of manufacturing products that are 100 percent compatible with SAF. Some of its other solutions will come through its work with Energia, where Embraer is stimulating research and developing sustainable technologies and services. The company will also offset any residual emissions that customers cannot reduce through efficiency projects, available alternative energy, or advanced technology.
