Why was global warming selected as a topic?

Were you expecting such a good response?

I have to admit that we were not. As for the quality of the ideas, here again we were surprised. We had prepared the call by studying initiatives involving space and environmental protection. Not only did the suggestions we received cover all the areas identified, but many of them even went beyond that scope. Here lies the genuine value of the exercise: Astrium’s staff is truly creative.

How did you select the most promising ideas?

First, we identified ideas about how to improve our own practices, relating for example to energy saving, reducing waste, etc. These ideas were sent to the site managers and to the Environment Committee, and were used to strengthen existing initiatives. Secondly, to select the more market-driven ideas, we turned to our recently created CTO Board and set up a selection committee. The committee selected a ‘Top 10’, which was narrowed down to six business projects including services and platform.

In June 2007, Astrium asked staff for ideas. Pierre Parrot is the man who managed the initiative.

What lessons have you drawn from this exercise?

We have learned just how concerned our staff are about environmental issues and global warming in particular. Their ideas confirmed the need to improve our approach around three inseparable and complementary points. Firstly, we must position ourselves by thinking about how space, be it through products or services, can benefit the environment. Secondly, we must refine our products and manufacturing processes to reduce any negative environmental impact as far as possible. And, thirdly, we must all, individually, make every endeavour to protect our ecosystem.

So, what happens now?

We have initiated a series of consultations to decide how we can turn the selected ideas into concrete, profitable projects. For reasons of confidentiality, we cannot currently disclose these ideas. At the beginning of 2008, we will propose the projects that we believe should be pursued, with allocation of budgets, internal teams, lobbying activities, etc. Some of them are included in the 2008 research budgets and internal work on them has begun.