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EADS placed 
eco-efficiency at the centre of corporate strategy in 2007. The Group now aims to develop the greenest products and processes in the aerospace and defence sector, recognising that this will both improve environmental performance and provide a strong business advantage.
Consequently, Louis Gallois, Chief Executive Officer, made eco-efficiency one of the key tenets of Vision 2020, the EADS strategy blueprint for the coming 12 years. This is already driving specific changes across the Group.
The air transport industry’s major challenge: climate change
Currently, the environmental cost of air transport is relatively low but reductions in emissions are necessary to enable the sector’s future growth. New technologies, therefore, are essential to ensure that the industry can continue to expand and benefit the world economy.
The economic benefits of aviation are considerable and growing. It currently supports 8%1) of global gross domestic product, while generating just 2%2) of man-made CO2 emissions (which could, without action, grow to 3% by 2050).
1) Air Transport Action Group
2) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
New technologies provide answers
The industry has reduced environmental impact for years and continues to do so. In less than 40 years, noise reduction has fallen by 75% and fuel efficiency has increased by 70%. Even today’s technology will enable far lower fuel consumption. For example, the A380 burns less than 3 l/100 km of fuel per passenger, compared with an average for the world’s aircraft fleet of slightly above 5 l/100 km.
EADS invests heavily in technology. In 2006, around € 2.5 billion was spent on Research and Development, equivalent to 6% of revenues. EADS will intensify these efforts in order to become a leader in the greenest technologies.
Airbus dedicates the largest share of the Research and Technology budget to reducing fuel burn and environmental impact. It committed to increase its environmental R&T budget by 25% from 2008, publicly stating emissions targets in line with those of the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). Use of composite materials and enhancement of aerodynamics will reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, Airbus is experimenting with synthetic fuels (see alternative fuels).
Every EADS Division is playing a part. For example, Astrium defines space technologies (see Astrium) that not only contribute to diagnosing environmental phenomena but also are part of the mitigation effort.
EADS is, additionally, playing a major role in research initiatives such as the EU Joint Technology Initiative “Clean Sky”, which was officially launched in early 2008 (see Clean Sky).
Smart management of air traffic can also help. EADS is participating in the European SESAR programme, which aims to optimise air traffic through the implementation of one single European airspace leading to estimated efficiency gains of approximately 10%.
Manufacturing and product lifecycle
Care for the environment also involves managing the entire product lifecycle – from design to dismantling. EADS is leading development of cleaner processes and more eco-efficient approaches.
Most EADS sites now have ISO 14001 environmental certification, and Airbus has become the first aerospace company to receive certification covering not only its European sites but also product-related processes.
The PAMELA (Process for Advanced Management of End of Life of Aircraft) project for dismantling and recovering the value of end-of-life aircraft is part of this effort. In mid-2007, the project entered its industrial phase within the TARMAC AEROSAVE company.
EADS is also organising itself to address issues concerning hazardous substances. This is important for managing risks related to the EU’s new Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
