Green [EU]

Clean Sky JTI

The aviation sector is currently a marginal contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (2%), but will rapidly become one of the main sources if nothing is done to reduce the constant increase in air traffic. The air transport sector also generates significant noise nuisance for populations living in proximity to airports.

Moreover, the European aeronautics industry is currently faced with high competition levels on a global scale (USA, Brazil, Russia, India, China). Thus the “Clean Sky” Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) is aiming to unite the public and private driving forces (human and financial) in European aviation and research to develop the technologies necessary for a clean, innovative and competitive system of air transport. This regulation gives a comprehensive overview of how this joint undertaking will develop in practice.

Council Regulation (EC) No 71/2008 of 18 December 2007 setting up the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking.

The ” Clean Sky ” joint technology initiative (JTI), a public-private partnership, is part of the ” Cooperation ” specific programme (7th framework programme for research and technological development).

Aims

Created to run until 31 December 2017, its main aims are to:

• accelerate the development of clean air transport technologies;
• guarantee effective coordination of aeronautics research on a European scale;
• set up an innovative and competitive air transport system;
• improve knowledge generation and use of research findings.

In terms of figures, “Clean Sky” aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%, NOx by 80% and noise pollution by 50% by 2020.

“Integrated Technology Demonstrators” (ITD)

Six technical domains, covering all aspects of aircraft technology and known as “integrated technology demonstrators” form the structure of “Clean Sky”. They provide a framework for research operations from the experimental phase to in-flight demonstrations.

Specifically, the six ITD are:

• the Smart Fixed Wing ITD targeting wing technologies;
• the Green Regional Aircraft ITD (engines, energy management and new silent configurations);
• the Green Rotorcraft ITD targeting installation of innovative blades and engines which are quieter, reduce drag, are more fuel-efficient and use environmentally-friendly flight paths;
• the Systems for Green Operations ITD targeting equipment, architecture and thermal management;
• the Sustainable and Green Engines ITD integrating technologies for quiet, low weight, low pressure systems and reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx);
• the Eco-Design ITD, which will focus on the full life cycles of materials and components (design, manufacture, maintenance and destruction/recycling).

An independent technical evaluator will assess and monitor the results of research carried out in these various sectors in order to optimise the impact of the programme in terms of achieving its environmental objectives.

Members and bodies

Its founding members are:

• the European Union (EU) represented by the Commission;
• twelve ITD leaders and associates;
• any public or private entity (industry, company, SME, research centre, university, etc.) established in a Member State or in a country associated with the 7th Framework Programme which, under certain conditions and subject to the consent of the governing board, may request membership.

Its bodies are:

• the Governing Board;
• the Executive Director;
• the ITD Steering Committees;
• the Technology Evaluator Steering Committee;
• the General Forum.

A National States Representative Group will act as an external advisory body to the undertaking.

Budget

The maximum Community contribution will be EUR 800 million paid from the budget appropriation allocated to the “Transport” theme of the “Cooperation” Specific Programme. Added to this is a contribution which is at least equivalent from the other members of the undertaking, giving a total budget of EUR 1.6 billion.

General information

As a Community body, “Clean Sky” has legal status.

Further information on the objectives and activities of the “Clean Sky” JTI, its status and operation, the role and tasks of its members and bodies, and its funding, are available in the annex to the Regulation.

Background

In addition to “Clean Sky”, five other initiatives of this type are planned in the areas of miniaturisation (ENIAC), invisible information systems (ARTEMIS), innovative medicine, hydrogen and fuel cells and global monitoring for environment and security (GMES).

References

Act	Entry into force – Date of expiry	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 71/2008 [adoption: consultation CNS(2007) 0018]	7.2.2008 – 31.12.2017	–	OJ L 30 of 4.2.2008