Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Wisconsin’s cutting-edge research and development in nanotechnology, engineering and power control systems, as well as its world-class universities and technical colleges, could help the climate change initiative reach its goals.
Europe’s latest climate change goal: Decarbonize the aviation industry by 2050.
More than 35 European countries and nearly 150 aviation stakeholder groups signed the Toulouse Declaration in February, approving plans to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions from aviation sources by 2050.
The public-private initiative, called Destination 2050, has four main proposals:
- Improve aircraft and engine technologies
- Develop sustainable aviation fuels
- Make air traffic management more efficient
- Enact economic measures that include setting a price on carbon dioxide emissions
The net zero goal would affect all flights within and departing from the European Union. As an interim measure, Destination 2050 calls for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from those flights by 45% by 2030.
Aerospace is a huge industry in France. It is home to Airbus, one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world, as well as ATR, Dassault, Thales and SAFRAN. France has 4,480 aerospace-related companies whose products include business and commercial aircraft, air navigation systems, helicopters and engines. They employed a total of 263,000 people and reported €106 billion ($112 billion USD) in revenue in 2020, according to France’s Economy and Finance Ministry.
In order to reach the Destination 2050 goals, France will welcome innovations and technology from Wisconsin companies in the aviation and aerospace industries.
Wisconsin businesses can get more information and connect with French aerospace companies at upcoming events:
- France Air Expo, June 9-11, 2022, in Lyon
- Aeromart Toulouse, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2022, in Toulouse
- Paris Air Show, June 19-25, 2023, in Paris
