One of Europe's biggest-ever technology development initiatives is aimed squarely at slashing aviation's impact on air quality - and helping European companies own the technologies that will come to dominate the industry.
The €1.6 billion ($2.3 billion) Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative links the European Union and the aeronautics industry with the goal of making air travel more sustainable by speeding up technological developments over the next seven years.
Speaking at the initiative's official launch in Brussels, Clean Sky executive board member and Rolls-Royce research and technology director Ric Parker said its annual €200 million turnover would arguably be larger than that of many companies involved - especially of those smaller and medium-sized European businesses being targeted for involvement.
When asked why the USA, India And China had not been invited to take part, Parker acknowledged the value of wide collaboration, but said: "That is a little bit beyond the remit of the Clean Sky JTI but I do agree, these molecules of carbon dioxide do not recognise national boundaries.
"However, while we must all act globally, we must also act locally in terms of our competitiveness and getting the balance right will be critical. European companies must position themselves in a world where environmental credentials are increasingly valued."
Parker said that next year, under the Seventh Framework Research programme, there would be a specific call for international co-operation.
EC research commissioner Janez Potočnik said at the launch: "The challenges that stand before us today, such as boosting international competitiveness and tackling climate change, are common to all European countries, and research is a major part of the answer. We stand a better chance of making a difference if we work together. This is the basic logic behind the Clean Sky JTI."
Source: FlightGlobal.com
