EASA publishes European Aviation Environmental Report 2025

15 January 2025: Yesterday, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in collaboration with the European Commission, the European Environment Agency and EUROCONTROL, released the European Aviation Environmental Report 2025.

Developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, including significant contributions from ERA, the report provides a comprehensive overview of aviation's environmental footprint.

It examines key areas such as CO2 and non-CO2 emissions, noise pollution, and fine particulate emissions. Additionally, the report offers essential recommendations to help the aviation sector achieve its environmental goals.

Main highlights of the report:

• Fleet renewal and emissions reduction: Fleet renewal efforts are contributing to reduced CO2 emissions and noise exposure on a global scale. However, more work is needed. The report specifically acknowledges the ambitious fleet renewal initiatives undertaken by regional airlines, highlighting their important role in driving progress.
• Short-term market-based measures: In the near term, market-based mechanisms like the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and compliance with the RefuelEU Aviation mandate will be critical for lowering CO2 emissions. The report emphasizes the importance of robust policies to support the scaling up of alternative fuels, which are vital for achieving environmental targets.
• Advancing zero-emission aircraft: The report recognizes industry efforts to develop and deploy low-emission and zero-emission aircraft. Initiatives under the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation, where ERA is an active member, are particularly noteworthy. This is especially relevant for regional aviation, where electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are set to become a practical reality in the near future.

The report serves as a crucial assessment by the European Union, providing insights into the aviation industry's current position and the challenges that lie ahead.

At the regional aviation level, ERA remains steadfast in our commitment to turning airline sustainability pledges into actionable outcomes. Our goal is to ensure sustainable connectivity across regions while continuing to deliver essential passenger services in an environmentally responsible manner.

Members can access the report and the executive summary presentation from the EASA website by clicking here.