As companies work towards Net Zero, balancing growth with environmental stewardship is crucial as aviation’s carbon footprint is under scrutiny.

Aerospace and defence sector priorities are represented through a number of ADS boards and special interest groups including the Sustainable Aerospace Board, Sustainable Procurement Working Group (SPWG), Sustainability Working Group, Sustainable Materials Working Group (SusMat).

Carbon emission reporting

The development and implementation of a corporate climate strategy starts with a comprehensive understanding of a company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

ADS, working closely with our members, has produced guidance to help members measure, report and reduce their scope emissions. We have developed best practice for comprehensive corporate GHG footprint accounting that addresses uniquely aerospace manufacturing and is recognized by all major prime suppliers as best practice. Access the guide from our Members Area here (login required):

Carbon evaluating and reporting

The sustainability charter

The Sustainability Charter defines the commitment of members of the CIPS Aerospace & Defence Procurement Group (ADPG) to working together to co-create common solutions to Sustainable procurement challenges.

Working together the charter aims to provide a framework to support suppliers on their Sustainable procurement journey through the core themes of Supply Chain Engagement, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data and Skills & Capability.

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The ADS sustainability challenge

The ADS Sustainability Challenge is a new competition launched at Sustainable Skies in April 2023 to support ADS SME members in their journey to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Announced at Paris Air Show 2023, four small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were awarded more than £40,000 in funding.

The four successful projects and organisations receiving funding from the ADS Sustainability Challenge are:

  1. Cool Furnace, TISICS Ltd – TISICS develops materials for net zero aviation, and its policy is to deliver this through sustainable production processes. Identifying and tackling areas of waste, TISICS will deliver efficiency creating a positive, sustainability drive company working environment.
  2. Carbon Literacy Program, B&H Worldwide –  B&H Worldwide’s project aims to embed Carbon Literacy into all levels of the organisation via a training and certification programme. This will support B&H Worldwide’s sustainability journey as it will ensure that all employees understand the impact that they, and industry, can have on improving our local communities and the environment.
  3. In-house body Armour Recycling, Vikela Armour – Vikela Armour’s proposal is the creation of an in-house recycling scheme which will turn its body armour into material that can be used for manufacturing. This project supports the organisation’s net zero goals by conserving materials and ensuring the circular life-cylce of the product.
  4. Custom Carbon Footprint Tool Development, Reaction Engines Ltd – Reaction Engines will create a  custom carbon footprint tool to enable the organisations products’ impact on the environment to be assessed for the first time. Following commissioning, the toolset will be upgraded to include sustainability considerations across the value chain.

ADS awards £40,000 of grant funding to winners of inaugural Sustainability Challenge