Background, developments, government policies and initiatives

Matching ambitions

NLR’s sustainability objectives are in line with various national and international ambitions and objectives to which governments and the aviation sector are committed. Below is an overview of the most relevant bodies and their ambitions.

Sustainable Aviation Table

The draft agreement on sustainable aviation includes the following:

CO₂-neutral growth from 2020.
50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2050 compared to 2005.
The ‘wish’ to be able to fly emission-free by 2070. Research institutions – such as NLR – are requested to investigate the feasibility of this ambition.

Part thereof is the Hybrid Electric Propulsion Action Programme (Dutch only).

Smart and Sustainable Action Plan

By implementing the Smart and Sustainable Action Plan (Dutch only), transport organisations and knowledge institutes – including NLR – aim to reduce CO₂ emissions from aviation in the Netherlands. In absolute terms, they are aiming for the CO₂ level of 2005.

In the Smart and Sustainable Action Plan, the reports ‘Overheidsmaatregelen biokerosine (Government Measures for Biokerosene)’ and ‘Economische- en Duurzaamheidseffecten Vliegbelasting (Economic and Sustainability Impacts of Aviation)’ (Dutch only) by CE Delft form the basis for the calculations of the expected fuel consumption – and related emissions – in 2030. The implementation of the action plan should reduce CO₂ emissions by 6 million tonnes by 2030. This is almost 35% less than the predicted 2030 level if aircraft and/or flight routes do not become more efficient. In absolute terms, CO₂ emissions from aviation in the Netherlands are therefore around the level of 2005.

National Research & Development Programme (under development)
With research and development of (radical) technological innovations, the Netherlands can make a global difference in making aviation more sustainable and aligning with developments in other countries.

Paris Climate Agreement
The Climate Agreement was adopted at the 21^st Conference of the Parties (COP21) on 12 December 2015. This aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with a target of 1.5 degrees. CO₂ reduction for International Aviation is primarily achieved through ICAO. However, countries themselves are responsible for the reduction of CO₂ emissions of domestic aviation.

European Green Deal
The Green Deal is the Von der Leyen Commission’s programme to combat climate change. This Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent: by 2050, the European Union should no longer contribute to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases.

ACARE (Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe)
This is the Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe. They set the following targets per passenger kilometre, using the year 2000 as a reference: 75% reduction in CO₂ emissions, 90% reduction in NOx emissions and 65% reduction in noise. Read more.

ATAG and ICAO (Air Transport Action Group and International Civil Aviation Organization)
The International Air Transport Coalition (ATAG) and the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) propose a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2050 compared to the year 2005. This is an objective of the sector. Combined with a possible growth of the aviation sector, this means that an aircraft must be more than 90% more energy efficient.