With the onset of a new year, who else adheres to the age-old tradition of pledging a series of resolutions in a bid for self-enhancement? As we herald in 2025, the aviation industry is firmly on a quest for improvement, too – particularly when it comes to the goal of sustainable ground operations. Adapt GSE delve into the areas of focus which can help the sector achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 or sooner.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Often, the aviation sustainability oaths from governments and the industry are embedded with longevity and a long lens perspective – however, the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 warrants significant action now.
Four 2030 Sustainable Aviation Goals have been depicted in the report – ‘Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation’ – which are specific, actionable steps that must be initiated immediately and completed within five years if the aviation sector is to be on-track to achieve net-zero by 2050.
The 2030 objectives outlined in the data are:
- Accelerating the deployment of a global contrail avoidance system, which could reduce aviation’s climate impact by up to 40 per cent. This would involve the immediate creation of experiments at the scale of whole airspace regions to learn in real environments
- Implementing a new wave of policies aimed at unlocking system-wide efficiency gains across the existing aviation sector. This has the potential to half fuel burn by 2050 by tapping into efficiency gains that individual companies can’t address
- Reforming Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policies to account for global biomass limits across all sectors, while driving renewable electricity production. This would provide the market with the confidence needed to rapidly scale up SAF production and ensure its sustainability
- Launching several moonshot technology demonstration programmes designed to rapidly assess the viability and scalability of transformative technologies, bringing forward the timeline for their deployment.
The Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) roadmap outlines a five-year timeline within which these initiatives should be implemented. The AIA is a collaborative project spearheaded by the University of Cambridge, leveraging expertise from the Whittle Laboratory and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. The findings underscore the potential for significant advancements in sustainability within the aviation industry, provided that stakeholders commit to decisive and co-ordinated efforts in the near term.
Eliot Whittington, Executive Director at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, reflected, ‘Too often the discussions about how to achieve sustainable aviation lurch between overly optimistic thinking about current industry efforts and doom-laden cataloguing of the sector’s environmental evils. The AIA modelling has drawn on the best available evidence to show that there are major challenges to be navigated if we’re to achieve net-zero flying at scale, but that it is possible.
‘With focus and a step change in ambition from governments and business we can address the hurdles, unlock sustainable flying and in doing so build new industries and support wider economic change.’
AIRPORTS IN ACTION
Airports are essential to the sustainable transition, as they not only possess the potential to lower their own emissions, but also contribute to wider decarbonisation initiatives.
Demonstrative of their sustainable impact, Exeter Airport has been pioneering a series of trials introducing hydrogen-fuelled GSE in an effort to significantly reduce carbon emissions from airport ground operations. The ground-breaking initiative is part of the Zero Carbon Turn Project – a collaborative research effort involving airport owner, Regional and City Airports, global travel company, TUI, and Cranfield University.
The Zero Carbon Turn Project aims to demonstrate the capabilities and potential applications of hydrogen in airport ground operations, paving the way for future integration of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
In the initial phase of the project, a comprehensive study of Exeter Airport’s GSE operations during aircraft turnarounds was conducted by Cranfield University in partnership with TUI.
The study determined that 78,000-plus litres of diesel fuel were consumed in a 12-month period, resulting in nearly 200 tonnes of CO2e emissions.
The trials are to feature hydrogen-powered GSE, including an H2-powered Ground Power Unit (GPU), pushback tug, and baggage tractor. These vehicles have been retrofitted with different hydrogen technologies: hydrogen fuel cell (baggage tractor), hydrogen internal combustion (aircraft tug), and hybrid dual-fuel (hydrogen-diesel, GPU).
The demonstration phase aims to address key challenges related to the safe supply, storage, and delivery of hydrogen for GSE. It will also help develop airport-specific standards and regulations, identify necessary skills and training, and establish a pathway for converting existing GSE to hydrogen power.
It’s hoped that the results of the Exeter Airport trials will inform future strategies for the wider adoption of hydrogen in airport operations, potentially leading to significant reductions in emissions.
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SECOND LIFE
Integrating pre-used GSE operations can not only enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for businesses, but its usage is hugely advantageous for the environment, too. Through the employment of pre-used GSE, companies can extend the life of machinery and maximise its utility, as well as reduce the carbon footprint associated with equipment procurement.
Numerous airlines and ground-handling companies are placing greater emphasis on sustainability to comply with regulatory standards. Incorporating pre-used GSE into their operations can contribute to a comprehensive sustainability strategy, showcasing a dedication to responsible business practices. Additionally, aligning with the adoption of pre-used GSE can positively contribute to their brand reputation – companies that passionately pursue sustainable practices can appeal to environmentally-conscious clients and partners.
HOW ADAPT GSE CAN HELP
At Adapt GSE, we can help cement your position at the forefront of sustainability practice in aviation courtesy of our wide-ranging pre-used GSE stock available at our fully-furnished refurbishment and maintenance workshop in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
We are proud to give pre-used products a second life, with extraordinary results.
If you have a need for second life equipment and want to check the availability of our quality GSE assets in stock, click below for our product portfolio.
