Embraer, as part of its commitment to building a sustainable future, has announced ambitious new ESG targets, including a commitment to carbon neutral operations by 2040. The company developed social responsibilities and environmental goals, which include offering an inclusive workplace for all employees and launching a zero-emission vehicle, all of which are integrated into the company’s corporate sustainability plan. The ESG goals are focused on helping to move both the company and the aviation industry forward.
“At Embraer, we recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and we are fully committed to a more sustainable future. We are stepping up our efforts to minimize our carbon footprint by remaining dedicated to innovating solutions that have a broader impact for our customers, our local communities, and our aircraft,” says Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. “ESG is at the heart of Embraer's purpose and that´s why we´ve included ESG as one of the pillars in our strategic plan ‘Fit for Growth’, aligning business strategy with social responsibility and environmental practices.”
To achieve the aviation industry´s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Embraer will develop a range of products, services, and disruptive sustainable technologies, such as electrification, hybrid, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other innovative energy alternatives. The company will also be offsetting any residual emissions that cannot be reduced through efficiency projects, available alternative energy or advancing technology.
Aligned with the Paris Agreement goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the company will:
Carbon Neutral operations by 2040 (Scope 1+2)
- 50% reduction in net carbon emissions by 2040 from a 2018 baseline
- 100% energy from renewable sources by 2030
- Begin using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2021
- Carbon neutral growth from 2022 (2021 baseline)
Net Zero Aviation Emissions by 2050 (Scope 3) will be achieved by:
- Developing products, services, and disruptive sustainable technologies such as electrification, hybrid, SAF and other innovative energy alternatives
- Working together with suppliers to make our current aircraft compatible with the use of 100% SAF
- Actively working with the supply chain to expand the global SAF production scale
- Continuously improving the efficiency of its current portfolio
- Launch zero-emission eVTOL aircraft by 2026
In the social arena, Embraer has the following goals:
- To have 25% of women in its in-company Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering program by 2025
- Bring more than 80% of the students from Embraer high schools to public universities
- Launch 'Social Tech', a new program focused on selecting 1,500 people from underrepresented groups in technology by 2025, to provide qualification training for tech-related job opportunities.
“The demand for qualified professionals in the technology field is growing in the global job market; however, they are often not within the reach of underrepresented groups. With Social Tech, it is our hope to contribute to eliminating these social and economic barriers," said Carlos Alberto Griner, Embraer’s Vice President of People, ESG, and Communications.
During the virtual event to announce its ESG goals, Embraer reported progress in its initiatives in aeronautical electrification research, including the first flight of its all-electric demonstrator aircraft (see below).
"We are committed to seeking solutions to enable the future of a more sustainable aviation and innovation will play a key role in this journey,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s Vice President of Engineering, Technology and Corporate Strategy.
Embraer also announced that Embraer Executive Jets, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, is the company’s first industrial facility that will use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) regularly by 2021 (see APAC section below).