Aviation sector hands over 'Smart and Sustainable' action plan to Minister I&W

Aviation is responsible for 2% of all CO ₂ emissions worldwide. The action plan aims for the Dutch aviation sector to become the smartest and most sustainable in the world and contains a total of seven themes. The action plan can serve as input for the climate table.

Five themes relate to reducing CO ₂ emissions from international aviation from the Netherlands: no less than 35% fewer emissions by 2030. This is in addition to the substantial CO ₂ reduction that aviation delivers through the European trading system and the global UN emissions trading system (CORSIA) that implement the Paris objectives. In addition, there are two more themes that result in a reduction of CO ₂ emissions, but on the ground.

The seven themes of 'Smart and Sustainable':

Optimizing flight routes and procedures Z
Using fuel sparingly results in fewer CO ₂ emissions. The more direct the flight route and the better the landing and take-off procedure, the less fuel consumption. The current routes, in both Dutch and European airspace, are overloaded and not always efficient, leading to unnecessary CO2 emissions.
Stimulating cleaner aircraft through airport charges
Schiphol intends to differentiate airport charges (2019-2022) partly based on climate impact. Airlines pay less for quieter and therefore generally less polluting aircraft, while the costs for noisy and therefore more polluting aircraft go up.
The use of sustainable fuel
Due to the long development time and lifespan of new aircraft, kerosene will remain the fuel for flying for the time being. That is why sustainable fuel is one of the most effective ways to reduce CO ₂ emissions in the relatively short term. Sustainable kerosene made from raw materials that do not harm the food supply for humans and animals and/or cause environmental damage, as is the case with deforestation.
Radical fleet renewal
Major steps in reducing our climate impact are being taken with the introduction of radically new aircraft concepts and fully electrically powered aircraft. The Dutch aviation industry and knowledge institutions play an important role in developing new aerodynamic models, stronger and lighter materials and electric-hybrid propulsion that are necessary after 2030 to further reduce aviation emissions. In the coming decade, airlines will continue to renew their fleets and thus further reduce their emissions.
Use of international train and other sustainable means of transport on short distances
The Netherlands benefits from a customer-oriented, fast and sustainable transport system. The train is a good alternative to air travel on certain routes, up to a distance of 700 kilometers. The success of the Eurostar and Thalys proves that this is possible and that it is better for the environment. To make the train really more attractive, there must be faster trains, a better connection to Schiphol and it must be easier to buy integrated AirRail tickets. In order to further develop Schiphol as a multimodal hub, extending the North/South line above ground is also an interesting option. This will create space for international trains in the Schiphol tunnel. There are also other sustainable alternatives besides the train that can be further developed for routes with lower passenger volumes.
Emission-free airports
By 2030, we will ensure that the terminals, offices and ground operations of all Royal Schiphol Group airports are climate neutral. Schiphol already runs entirely on electricity generated by Dutch wind and is committed to increasing energy efficiency (for example through the use of LED lighting), phasing out gas (including through the use of heat and cold storage) and limiting commuting. In addition, the users of the airports (including airlines and handlers) also play an important role in making the airport climate neutral by, among other things, making more use of electrical equipment.
A fast and efficient journey to and from the airport
The journey to and from the airport is one that takes time, is sometimes unnecessarily complicated, causes traffic jams and contributes to CO ₂ emissions. Currently, travelers choose the car and public transport. Solutions such as an electric loan car and faster public transport to and from the airports are also needed. In addition, passengers should be able to benefit from reliable and efficient transfers and have more options for getting cargo and baggage door-to-door. In air freight transport, all parties also work closely together to optimize freight activities through digitalisation, chain agreements and good information exchange. This improves lead times and loading rates and reduces CO ₂ emissions.