Proactive Investors - Airbus Group (EPA:AIR) and TotalEnergies (LON:TTEF) have announced a partnership aimed at developing and rolling out sustainable aviation fuel in Europe.
TotalEnergies will supply the less environmentally damaging fuel for more than half of Airbus’ needs in Europe under the deal, the duo announced on Wednesday.
Research and development of the fuel for current and future aircraft models will also take place under the agreement.
“Accelerating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions,” Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said.
“This partnership between Airbus and TotalEnergies demonstrates the willingness of aerospace manufacturers and major energy producers and suppliers to work together to meet this challenge.”
Under the International Air Transport Association, the global aviation industry is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, when demand for air travel is expected to exceed 10 billion journeys annually.
The majority of the emissions cutbacks across the sector are set to come from the use of sustainable aviation fuels, according to the body.
New technologies, such as hydrogen-powered flight, operational efficiency improvements and carbon offsetting are also set to play a part.
However, sustainable aviation fuels, which can be produced using the likes of household waste, release significantly less carbon dioxide than kerosene when burned, with manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce (LON:RR) already developing engines to run on the alternative.
“We are happy to form a strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonisation together,” TotalEnergies boss Patrick Pouyanné said.