Our efforts, based on our long-term experience and on-going strategy, must be commercially viable, industry backed, sustainable in delivery and provide proven data driven impact.
Knowledge Sharing and Lessons Learned Insight and experience gathered over the years of the Etihad Greenliner Programme have offered several principles, or philosophies, which assist in how we approach different initiatives in our strategy.
Introducing new initiatives or identifying areas for improvement is often difficult due to the complex nature of aviation infrastructure. Etihad’s Sustainability Strategy is designed to combine key OEMs and encourage the collaboration between stakeholders effectively with such complexities, quantifying impacts from incremental efficiencies/improvements remains a considerable challenge. A vital area of focus is the use of technology to promote alignment and connect service providers, air traffic controllers, airlines and so on.
Initiatives which disrupt day-to-day operations, require ‘ad-hoc’ processes, incur greater cost or effort are less likely to achieve a proportionate improvement or benefit diligent assessment and working groups can maximise impact against effort. This allows prioritisation of commercial and operational implications and permits the endorsement of higher-value initiatives. Being a hard to abate sector, a challenge is balancing opportunities for reductions in such a diverse landscape; difficulty, contribution, impact, time, investment, etc.
Investment in maturity of existing technologies or processes with incremental benefits should not be forgotten in favor of long-term industry aspirations. As we look for a realistic pathway to Net Zero, we know our journey will be made up of a million little things; a combination of efforts, and not one silver bullet to make significant change... Here are a few of ours.
This is the foundation of the Etihad Greenliner Programme; because we know that this challenge isn’t something we can take on alone. A call sent out to the aviation world, the Etihad Greenliner programme forced the industry to think and act differently; tell us what we're doing wrong and step up to show us how to get it right. To accelerate the pace of innovation and change the course of aviation for good.
Our average fleet age is 7.9 years across our entire operating fleet, and 78% of our widebody passenger fleet is next generation. [1]
Etihad B787 "The Greenliner":
At Etihad, we prioritize fuel efficiency as a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability. While we wait for newer airframes, engines and fuels, we focus on the now – the million little things we can do today.
Flight Planning
Using the world leading LIDO flight planning system, routings are optimised, including vertical profiles and are based on a cost-index methodology, which facilitates automatic variation of the aircraft’s speed during the flight depending on head or tail winds experienced."
Engine Performance
Use of GE 360 Engine Foam Wash procedures and airframe wash prior to flight offer improved aerodynamic performance. With annualized reductions of 7,000 tonnes of CO2 GE’s engine wash maximizes fuel efficiency and protects lifespan of engines. "
Efficient Flying
Reduced engine taxi operations, especially at busy airports with long taxi routings, negotiating routing shortcuts with Air Traffic Control, flying efficient approaches with continuous descent profiles, utilising efficient GPS based approaches, landing with reduced flap settings and a more aerodynamic wing are all within the practice."
Efficient Airspace
Global airport capabilities are continuously reviewed, ensuring the closest operationally and commercially feasible option is used as diversion options during flights. Flight Operations work closely with Air Traffic partners at Abu Dhabi airport to redesign the airspace structure and ensure fuel efficiency was a central consideration from the outset. "
Weight Reduction
Reducing aircraft weight by replacing manuals, documents and logbooks with electronic devices, minimizing equipment such as crew rest seats, and interiors such as carpets and curtains. "
FliteDeck Advisor
Use of the FliteDeck Advisor produced by Boeing and Jeppesen has been regularly trialed by Etihad, building on the importance of data driven flight modeling technology. In 2022, the software permitted 11,141.55 tonnes of CO2 savings in the reduction of 3,537 tonnes of fuel."
Efficient Loading
Focus by Load Control to ensure efficient loading of aircraft. Fuel burn can be reduced by actively targeting optimum trim through improved payload forecast during flight planning stage. "
Fuel efficiency is arguably the least disruptive, long-term, most cost effective, highest potential (exponential) activity for airlines, OEMs and ANSP’s, airports and other providers to undertake. Benefits realized today will grow continuously over time from fuel efficiency initiatives, and the collaborative effort required to find solutions is inherent in the relationships across the entire ecosystem. This is why, like many airlines, Etihad believes that fuel efficiency is a cornerstone to any commitment to sustainability.
"Etihad has been involved in projects and studies around many forms of alternative fuels (commonly refered to as ""Sustainable Aviation Fuels"") and their offtake options for more than a decade.
In assessing options within mitigation pathways, it is important to note that the introduction of such fuels does not directly reduce emissions produced during combustion, they do however impact carbon intensity from the application of environmental benefits improving the lifecycle footprint for fuel production.
""CORSIA allows aircraft operators to reduce its offsetting requirements through the use of CORSIA eligible fuels, which include CORSIA sustainable aviation fuels and CORSIA lower carbon aviation fuels."""
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Pages/CORSIA-Eligible-Fuels.aspx
Speaking from experience
Etihad’s history in alternative fuels can be found at every touchpoint available along the production chain. In 2011, Etihad became a founding member of the SBRC (Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium), to explore clean sustainable fuels with Khalifa University, Boeing, and Honeywell UOP, and later ADNOC Refining, Safran, GE and Bauer Resources. The airline became founding partner of BioJET Abu Dhabi program in 2014, aimed at establishing the SAF supply chain in the UAE.
In 2019, the flagship SBRC project ‘SEAS’ (Seawater Energy Agriculture System) saw the first UAE home grown biofuel, made from Salicornia Plants from non-arable land, operated on an Etihad Airways flight to Amsterdam. These efforts were followed by participation in the Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme in 2020, where the delivery flight of the new aircraft was powered by the world’s highest volume of 50% ""SAF"", avoiding 60 tonnes of CO2. All test flights were conducted on 30%-50% ""SAF"".
In the ecoFlight programme, ""SAF"" was used on the Etihad Sustainable Flight from London in 2021, exploring the infrastructure capabilities at airports and laying the foundation for continuous development of ""SAF"" supply chains locally and globally. "
In 2022, with the Etihad "Net Zero" Flight from Washington, Etihad trialed the Book & Claim system to evaluate potential for the full scale adoption of B&C as a meaningful solution. Efforts towards industrialization, commercialization or any meaningful uplift of "SAF" into the industry are inhibited by insufficient oversight mechanisms; including the full development and endorsement of registries, uniform or consistent coefficient standards for "SAF" types, regulation around costs and premiums, and most importantly, acceptance for reporting against airline’s scope 1 or third-party scope 3 emissions.
"In 2023, Etihad became a founding partner for Air-CRAFT: Centre for Research in Advanced Fuel Technologies.
Joining forces with 6 leading UAE entities in the aviation sector; Boeing, ADNOC, ENOC, Emirates, Honeywell, Khalifa University in partnership around applied research, industrial infrastructure, policy, underscored by financing pathway development. Air-CRAFT will position the UAE as a leader in aviation decarbonisation through accelerating the deployment of globally competitive, locally produced sustainable aviation fuels, leveraging leading technology that supports the sustainable growth of the UAE aviation sector and contributing to the implementation of UAE national policies and roadmaps."
In 2023, Etihad initiated a collaborative feasibility study alongside Masdar, ADNOC, bp, and Tadweer to explore the potential for commercial production of "Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)" utilizing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and renewable hydrogen. Aligned with the overarching "UAE SAF Roadmap" and driven by collective efforts from entities spanning various sectors, including aviation, this endeavor reflects Etihad's sustained commitment to its strategic objectives.
“SAF is an umbrella term referring to fuels derived from non-fossil sources or ‘feedstock’, where through its process of cultivation and production, works to close the carbon cycle and… achieve a significant reduction in life-cycle emissions relative to traditional jet fuel… Whereas fossil fuels add to the overall level of CO2 by emitting carbon that had been previously locked away, SAF recycles the CO2 which has been absorbed by the biomass used in the feedstock during its life.” IATA
These fuels perform virtually identically to Jet A1 aviation fuel, meaning the emissions produced during combustion are the same. It is via the recognition and certification of the environmental attributes that "SAF" attains its value, and Book & Claim is a system by which those benefits can be accessed across multiple supply chains, industries and the credentials can contribute to many roadmaps. Irrespective of originating feedstock, certified "SAF" produced is similar in chemical structure to current JetA1 (kerosene-based jet fuel) but has a significantly lower emission impact from aggregation and production pathways. By performing at operationally equivalent levels to Jet A1, "SAF" can be used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel; meaning it can be ‘blended’ into existing fuel infrastructure and be compatible with modern aircraft.
The sustainability credentials of "SAF" are defined by the nature of feedstock aggregation and refining processes, which are certified by industry regulated methodology; ultimately classifying the fuel as CORSIA Eligible (among other standards). Despite offering an 80% reduction in emissions, the direct benefits to airlines themselves are minimal. Reductions are relative to the ‘production’ lifecycle – which on average contributes approximately 18% of the total final impact of the fuel. An average of 82% of emissions generated by fuel are at combustion; the use of fuel in engines.
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CORSIA/Documents/CORSIA_Eligible_Fuels/ICAO%20document%2007%20-%20Methodology%20for%20Actual%20Life%20Cycle%20Emissions%20-%20June%202022.pdf
From the airline’s experience in Sustainable Aviation Fuel at all touchpoints along the supply chain, three key challenges have been identified: Supply, Accessibility and Cost. To meet global targets, forecasts expect a demand for 2-6 billion liters of SAF by 2026. The industry supply of SAF currently stands at 0.2% of demand. Capabilities of airports to permit the delivery of SAF directly to the wing of the purchasing airline are insufficient; it is common practice that SAF purchased by one airline would likely be delivered to multiple airlines across an airport. With emissions from aviation expected to rise as much as 20% by 2030, maintaining 2019 levels would require a 15% substitution of SAF. Predictions show “using 5% to 10% SAF could raise airline operating costs for airlines 2%-4%”.
Compared to traditional JetA1 fuel, SAF can be priced anywhere from 4 to 8 times more; this is largely due to costs for feedstock, renewable energies and capital costs for building production facilities, in addition to administrative fees for SAF certification.
Etihad has tested "SAF" on 'ecoFlights' however does not use "SAF" regularly in its operations. We are doing what we can to participate in the development of alternative fuel supply chains and work closely with our partners to promote the development of infrastructure, however our current work in this area has no impact on our reportable environmental credentials.
With 73% of global emissions from the energy sector, the emissions reductions from production of alternative fuel are valuable on a global scale to many industries. Where aviation is less likely to realise electric or hybrid airframes in the same timespan as other forms of transport, alternative energies should be explored in the commitment to an the 'all of the above' approach.
In a world’s first trial on the Etihad Sustainable Flight on 23 October 2021, the SATAVIA software was deployed to better understand indirect emissions and improve the performance of the software. Throughout 2022, Etihad and SATAVIA continued to test contrail avoidance technology, most extensively seen throughout a week of trials coinciding with Earth Day. 55 flights were operated with SATAVIA software modifications between February and November 2022. The most intensive testing was conducted over a week-long period leading up to Earth Day in April 2022, where 30+ flight plans were modified for contrail avoidance. Roll out of contrail avoidance software could enable the entire industry to significantly reduce non-CO2 effects as well as direct climate impacts.
Aircraft contrails (or condensation trails) are clouds made up of aircraft-generated ice crystals; the line-shaped clouds formed by aircraft passing through high level, cold, humid, atmospheric conditions (ice-supersaturated regions, ISSRs). Contrails cause a net surface heating effect globally by trapping atmospheric heat, causing up to 60% of aviation’s total climate impact (equivalent to 2% of all human impact).
The exploration of SATAVIA’s contrail prevention software widens the net to cover non-direct emissions. With smarter flight planning and tactical changes, Etihad will continue to work with SATAVIA to continue in depth trials and development of the DECISIONX:NETZERO contrail prevention platform, integrating atmospheric modelling with operational flight planning to prevent contrail formation by Etihad aircraft.
There are two primary goals of the collaboration with SATAVIA in contrail avoidance.
In our craft, we use a potable water solution to reduce fuel burn, making flights more efficient and introduced a jet engine cleaning system to optimise performance of the GE90 and GEnx-1B engines. These improvements have resulted in significant reductions of water-use in engines, and reduced fuel consumption.
Data-driven optimisations have also been implemented on the use of potable water carried on aircrafts for toilets and wash basins. This pattern of usage means flights are able to determine the optimal volumes of water to be loaded, reducing weight, fuel consumption, and water usage.
The following initiatives and efforts of Etihad mostly fall into Scope 2 and 3 for our environmental footprint, and aim to deliver on pillars of biodiversity & wildlife, waste and resource management and overall advocacy. These initiatives take significant effort for the airline, and we are dedicated to progress in these areas, however it is important to draw attention to the average 1% and 2.5% contributions Scope 2 and 3 make respectively to our overall environmental impact.It is aspirational to achieve reductions in Scope 2 and 3 for the airline, but it is evident that this will have minimal impact on the airlines overall emissions reporting, and therefore plays into decision-making factors for best use of time, effort, or investment to output.
While the importance of initiatives which target Scope 1 reductions is clear, Etihad has deployed a number of brands which target more humanitarian and social elements of sustainability, such as a customised loyalty platform which offers environmentally-focused activities to guests when they travel, and Etihad Mangrove Forest, a tree-planting initiative based in Abu Dhabi's Jubail Island.Aviation’s unique qualities make it a challenging industry to convert to zero waste. Focusing on the on-board guest experience, there are some cases in which single use plastics are both the least environmentally harmful option and only material available to carriers.
On-board Single Use Plastics
Since the launch of Etihad’s sustainability agenda in 2018, all product development scope for new programmes includes sustainability as a key requirement. This may come in the form of supply chain, material, production methodology, innovation etc. We’ve seen this through the successful development and implementation of projects Phoenix (which was focused on SUP reduction) and Edge (focused on SUP and weight reduction (up to 10%) as well as supply chain) while improving the overall guest experience in parallel.
As of December 2023, Etihad has removed over 233 million pieces of single use plastics from its on board service.
Local Production & 'Sustainable' Procurement
36% of our onboard products are produced locally in the UAE.
Our catering partners, Capital Catering, have worked closely with Etihad's Culinary team to identify opportunities to source products closer to Abu Dhabi, where available and where quality and supply is consistent. For example, dairy products are sourced from farms in Al Ain and every effort is made to source fruit and vegetables locally and by utilising produce seasonally, additional transportation can be reduced.
Airlines' engagement in indirect environmental efforts, like offering carbon offsets, harmonizes with the guidance set forth by authoritative bodies for global climate action. Given the nature of the business, carriers engage with all manner of customers – from individual guests to business travelers, freight forwarders and corporate clients. Particularly with an audience with a range of needs, this initiative is an attempt to diversify the opportunities available to create positive environmental impact, even if that impact is not attributable against a scheme or framework and purely to positively benefit the planet through collective action.
Etihad has collaborated with CarbonClick since 2021 to provide premium carbon offsets for our passengers. Moreover, the Etihad Guest reward shop provides offsetting options for everyday activities like driving, further extending the reach of sustainable choices to our customers. It's important to note that Etihad does not include these offsets in its carbon footprint reporting.
Ecosystems of coastal vegetation which store and sequester carbon are known as ‘Blue Carbon’ ecosystems. These include mangrove forests, salt marshes and seagrass beds.
Approximately 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have disappeared over the past 50 years, with reports stating an additional 1% is lost each year.
Mangrove species differ across the world, specific to the climate features of their habitat. The Avicennia marina mangrove species is native to the UAE and, when compared to terrestrial forests and soils, is capable of sequestering and storing carbon at relatively high rates.
The species in the UAE is particularly robust, due to the arid climate of the country where temperatures fluctuate between 12-50°C and annual rainfall is <100 mm on average. Studies by the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi and partners show carbon sequestration rates of mangroves at 0.5 tonnes per hectare per year.
Scientific studies have found that mangroves store carbon 2 to 4 times greater than mature tropical forests and contain the highest carbon density of all terrestrial ecosystems.
Our tree planting partner has worked hard to establish that the average amount of CO2 absorbed by a mangrove forest is 12.3kg per tree per year, which equals to 308kg (0.3 tonnes) of CO2 per tree over its lifetime (estimated to be 25 years).
While the carbon sequestration of the mangroves are an important part of why they should be protected, Etihad does not claim nor sell the carbon related benefits of its mangroves nor consider it a solution as part of any 'Net Zero' strategy. Further Etihad does not claim the positive secondary effects on livelihoods and ecosystems from mangrove and tree planting and restoration are as a result of flying with our airline or participating in our Guest Loyalty programmes.
Details of every tree we plant / adopt are captured using a specially-developed app called TreeCorder, which is used by EcoMatcher’s partner foundations when planting trees. This is a part of our process to ensure that there is full transparency throughout the tree planting process. With TreeCorder, each tree is recorded with its individual unique photo, GPS location, date of planting, species and even the farmer who planted the tree.
Etihad Airways and EcoMatcher work with foundations specialized in tree planting, which provide farmers with high-quality seedlings to plant on their land.
Your donation finances the growth of the seedlings, their transportation to the farmers and for all their maintenance needs. The farmers who take care of the trees will own them and your funding also allows them to reap the benefits that the trees may offer to their community.
Yes. The foundations that we have partnered with have carefully selected the farmers who will care for the mangrove trees. The farmers – like our partner foundations – have also signed a contractual agreement with EcoMatcher to make sure that they care for them properly. They will also receive regular checkups using EcoMatcher’s digital tree planting maps to make sure that the mangroves are healthy and thriving.
Land developer – Jubail Mangrove Park, Yas Holdings
Maintenance Agent – Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG)
Digital Platform, Product Owner & Governance – Eco Matcher
Accountable body – Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Purchaser – Etihad Airways on your behalf
Mangrove Tree links sent have a 1 week expiry, so if you can't access your mangrove link on the Eco Matcher platform, don't worry. Simply email etihadforest@etihad.ae and one of our team will support you within 48 hours.
CarbonClick showcases excellence in carbon offset standards and offers a reliable methodology for calculating flight emissions, accessible to all guests when booking flights on Etihad.com. CarbonClick is dedicated to empowering businesses and individuals in combating climate change by simplifying, ensuring trustworthiness, and enhancing cost-effectiveness in carbon offsetting. Through the development of our Etihad Loyalty Programme, CarbonClick has closely collaborated with Etihad to curate a diverse range of offset options and gain valuable consumer insights through monthly reports.
Etihad Guest, the airline’s award-winning loyalty programme, allows frequent flyers to earn and spend miles on flights or across their exclusive range of partners.
Etihad Guest currently has more than 9 million members and collaborates with more than 120 international and domestic partners, including a large portfolio of leading UAE Banks and local attractions. The audience granted by the Etihad Guest programme offers the chance to make a positive and great impact, outlining why Etihad uses its brand to promote and incentivize behaviours.
https://www.carbonclick.com/news-views/how-we-assess-projects-our-7-point-impact-check
Take the FAQs from here: https://etihad.carbon.click
[1] As an average of 96.5% of our emissions fall under Scope 1, with the primary source being aircraft fuel burn, our fleet credentials must maximise opportunity to ensure efficient operations using the most important asset available to us. We are committed to leveraging next-generation aircraft technology to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions per flight, and maintain environmental performance throughout business growth.Optimizing fleet performance and efficiency is fundamental to our sustainability strategy. [2] When traveling with Etihad and engaging in 'environmental activities', such as supporting tree planting in the Etihad Mangrove Forest or an offset with CarbonClick will not make Etihad's operations more sustainable. Etihad provides these options to travellers who wish to customise their experience with ecologically focused ancillaries, but customers should be aware that this does not make traveling on Etihad Airways a more sustainable option over our competitors. The initiatives we undertake as an airline in our Sustainability strategy are shared mitigation options available to all airlines, and where Etihad is supporting the development of specific solutions, we are commited to making our research and findings available for the entire industry. This website may contain hyperlinks or references to third party websites. Any such hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them. The display of any hyperlink and reference to any third party website does not mean that we endorse that third party’s website, products or services, research or statements. Your use of a third party site may be governed by the terms and conditions of that third-party site and is at your own risk.
