The EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) having kick-started a new round of technical cooperation activities between EASA and CAAC, close to 200 participants came together online for the Sustainable Aviation Strategies Overview in Europe and China Workshop from 15-17 March. The event marked an important milestone for the EU and China’s prioritisation of renewed cooperation on the subject of sustainability in the civil aviation domain.

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Under the second phase of the EU-China APP, EASA and the Development Planning Department of the CAAC are increasing their bilateral exchanges in order to support collaboration between European and Chinese aviation stakeholders that can reinforce their environmental protection contributions. This week’s workshop provided a first forum for the authorities, industry and other stakeholders to share their current strategies and programmes and to identify areas of mutual interest and future cooperation. Following the general overview presented by the authorities, a wide range of detailed topics was discussed, including market-based measures, aviation carbon market development, contribution to environmental protection standards under ICAO, aviation non-CO2 climate impact, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), electric and hydrogen powered aircraft, sustainability efforts for airports, airspace management improvements potential for fuel saving, and air operator initiatives.

 

Contributing to the overview with presentations were the European Commission, EASA, CAAC, ATMB, Civil Aviation University of China, China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, European Union Chamber of Commerce to China, Airbus, Safran, COMAC, China Civil Airports Association, Capital Airport Holding, Airports Council International Europe, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Sichuan Airports Group, Aéroports de Paris, Thales, KLM, Air China, China Air Transport Association, and European Regions Airline Association.

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Following up on this activity, the EU-China APP will organise more events bringing together the technical experts to drive the cooperation and progress on specific subjects forward. For example, workshops on SAF are already agreed to be held later this year.

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You can find the supporting resources for this activity here.  A password is required. To request access please contact Wang Lili at lili.wang@eu-china-app.org.