Airbus // Universal Registration Document 2023
1. Information on the Company’s Activities
1.2 Non-Financial Information
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Dedicated learning paths are also being developed and deployed under the leadership of academies in the Company functions. In addition, when needed, targeted external recruitments will enable the Company to align its workforce skills with its business challenge. 5. Engaging the ecosystem Cooperating with the scientific community and universities Climate change is a critical challenge for humanity, and the Company believes innovation and technology can make substantial contributions to the solution. Achieving this common goal will require all forces from the scientific community to be joined. Hence the Company participates in a number of research programmes worldwide; it is committed to sharing acquired knowledge that could help accelerate the progress of science. For instance, the Company is collaborating with the DLR in Germany, Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, with the ONERA or the Montpellier Business School in France, the Denmark Technical University in Denmark, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, the Tsinghua University in China or the European Joint Research Centre. The Company also created the CEDAR “Chair for Eco-Design of Aircraft” together with ISAE-SUPAERO (French aerospace engineering school) in 2013. This five-year chair aimed to define disruptive concepts in air transport by introducing, from the start of the design, innovative technologies. In 2019, the partnership was renewed and adopted the main learnings of previous years all while integrating a more comprehensive environmental engineering approach. The CEDAR Chair is composed of international scholarships, interdisciplinary programme of student projects derived from concrete industrial cases in the field of “Future Aircraft Design”, and environmental engineering certificate with focus on the issues of sustainable development, offering an approach to design aircraft over the entire product life cycle, addresses eco-mobility and the economics of air transport. It also provides a research component that focuses on technological developments that will improve the implementation of air transport solutions, making it possible to reduce the global ecological footprint. Engaging with policy makers Leveraging on its unique understanding of aerospace industry specificities, the Company is engaged in a constant dialogue with policy makers, directly or through trade associations. Such engagements are performed in compliance with the Ethical business conduct principles described in section “– 1.2.14 Business Integrity”, the Company’s Code of Conduct and the Company’s Responsible Lobbying Charter. In 2023, as a member of the industry association International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) through the ASD, the Company actively participated in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) work to define guidance, standards and recommended practices aimed at minimising emissions from aircraft and engines, as well as defining policies with regards to local air quality, climate change, and noise. Specifically, in 2022 the Company has been an active member supporting the adoption of a climate “Long Term Ambitious Goal” to the ICAO 41 st assembly. At European level, the Company has engaged with the EU Commission on climate change policies discussions such as the “ReFuel EU” initiative as part of the “Fit for 55” regulatory package. At the national level, the Company has engaged with France, Spain, UK and Germany
in order to exchange on federal policies on climate change. In particular in its home countries France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the Company has cooperated with the CORAC (Conseil pour la Recherche Aéronautique Civile), LUFO (German Research Programme “Luftfahrtforschungsprogramm”) and ATI (UK Aerospace Technology Institute) respectively on research for technology, fuels and non-CO 2 emissions. As well, in 2023 the Company has directly discussed with the EU Commission supporting the development of a carbon removal framework with high environmental integrity in Europe. The Company’s positions on climate-related topics are consistent with the principles and axis of the transformation described in its transition plan, where it considers that emerging regulatory frameworks could be a The Company is also engaged in a number of initiatives: where impactful and connected to its know-how, the Company engages in various projects with local communities or partners, and develops projects beyond its immediate core business that could generate meaningful CO 2 savings. Scope 3 commuting – In 2022, in partnership with Toulouse Métropole, Tisséo (the local transport authority) and Sopra-Steria, a smartphone application called Ecomode was developed to incentivise the shift to collective commuting ( e.g. public transport and car sharing) or low-carbon individual mobility modes ( e.g. bicycles). This has been deployed amongst employees in Toulouse and is of potential benefit to the citizens of all 37 municipalities of the Toulouse Métropole. Such an initiative benefits both the Company and the whole local community. At site level, cycling to work is encouraged by improved infrastructure, cycling paths made safer in collaboration with local authorities, and periodic “cycle to work” events organised. Car parks are being equipped with charging devices to encourage the use of electric cars, and Company car policy has evolved in order to incentivise the selection of low-carbon vehicles by collaborators. Climate adaptation, supporting local communities – Through its Community Impact Policy – including corporate activities and its non-profit arm the Airbus Foundation – the Company is committed to support vulnerable communities through disaster response at a time when climate-related catastrophes are getting more intense and frequent. The Company works in collaboration with local knowledgeable associations, as well as with partners that have a global reach. Support can take the form of impact investments or provision of access to Company’s products and services, for example, providing satellite imagery for partners to properly assess a disaster’s scope and adapt their response plans. The Airbus Foundation chartered helicopter hours to respond to the wildfires in Chile, and provided satellite imagery to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (“ IUCN ”) as part of a 3-year reforestation project. The Company also saw a rise in requests to support projects linked specifically to water access in vulnerable communities which are impacted by climate change and changing weather patterns. The Company and the Airbus Foundation respectively partnered with organisations in the Philippines and Kenya on projects which have collectively created access to clean water for 20,000 community members. A 3-year agreement was also signed to equip two indigenous communities in Australia with water access through infrastructure, maintenance plans and training, with the project due to commence in 2024. (See Chapter “– 1.2.16 Community Impact” for more information). decisive enabler. Other initiatives
93 Airbus Annual Report
Universal Registration Document 2023
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