Aircraft maker Daher commits to low-carbon future

Image: Daher

Aircraft manufacturer Daher announced Sept. 2 that it is taking a major step forward in its sustainable-development strategy by adopting an ambitious and structured climate policy.

This new initiative is designed to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon future, aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

As a unique player in the aerospace value chain, with activities ranging from aircraft manufacturing to industrial logistics, the Daher Group said it recognizes its responsibility in driving the sector’s environmental transformation.

This positioning enables the group to act on multiple fronts, the company said, working directly with its entire ecosystem: customers, suppliers, partners and employees.

“In a context where the aerospace industry faces major challenges related to energy transition, Daher intends to lead by example,” the company stated. “With a long-term vision and collective mobilization, the group places climate action at the center of its priorities—serving both current and future generations.”

This climate policy is built on four complementary pillars: 

• Reducing carbon emissions from operations—Daher said it is committed to significantly reducing its greenhouse-gas emissions, aligned with the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. The goal is a 50 percent reduction in emissions from operations between 2022 and 2032, with the first step of a 23 percent reduction from 2027. To achieve this, the group is focusing on energy efficiency—the application of electrification, the adoption of lower-carbon energy sources (such as sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, and biofuels), and the optimization of its processes and facilities.

• Engaging suppliers in the transition—Recognizing that climate performance also depends on upstream activities, Daher said it places suppliers at the core of its strategy. By 2027, the group will assess the carbon maturity of its 50 highest-emitting suppliers, expanding this analysis to the Top 100 by 2032. Daher said it will work to ensure reliable CO2 data for its upstream emissions in the Paris Agreement’s scope 3 emissions category by collecting data from its most impactful Tier 1 suppliers. Representative CO2 data will be integrated into the group’s management and reporting tools. The objective is to codevelop emission-reduction pathways for the Paris Agreement’s scope 1 and scope 2 categories with these partners, aligned with the agreement’s 1.5°C target.

• Reducing emissions from products and services—Daher said it is taking action on three fronts to reduce the carbon footprint of its products and services. The group has committed to developing a lower-carbon aircraft by 2027 while also continuously improving the energy efficiency of its airplanes and increasing the use of SAF in its own flight operations. The share of SAF blended with conventional kerosene will exceed 10 percent by 2027, reaching 20 percent by 2032. Daher also supports initiatives to authorize SAF blends above 50 percent to accelerate the sector’s transition. In parallel, Daher said it is heavily investing in innovation to make its products lighter in weight. At least 50 percent of its R&D budget is dedicated to research in composite materials, with the goal of delivering lighter aerostructures for future aerospace programs. By the end of 2027, ecodesign testing and training will be conducted to integrate these principles from the design phase. Finally, the group said it is enhancing the energy efficiency of its services and transportation operations while promoting the use of biofuels in ground operations. R&D investments will continue to optimize tools and transportation methods, with a commitment to offering more sustainable services to its customers.

• Adapting activities to climate risks—Daher said it is also anticipating the impacts of climate change on its infrastructure. By the end of 2027, comprehensive physical risk mapping will be conducted for its sites, as well as those deemed critical in its value chain. Based on this assessment, an adaptation plan will be defined by 2032 for the most exposed sites to strengthen their resilience to climate hazards and ensure operational continuity.

“Daher’s climate policy is a clear response to the climate emergency,” said Julie de Cevins, the Daher Group’s chief sustainability officer. “It reflects our commitment to act with methods, ambition and responsibility. Every employee has a role to play in this collective effort. Progress will be tracked regularly, with annual carbon-footprint mapping to ensure transparency, effectiveness and continuous improvement in our actions.”