近年來，全球氣候變遷和環境保護意識的提高，促使各行各業都將企業社會責任 (Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR) 視為重要的發展目標。航空業作為一個高度排放碳排放的產業，也開始注重環境、社會、企業治理 (Environmental, Social, and Governance, ESG) 相關問題，積極尋求發展方向，以適應未來永續發展的趨勢。
航空業的碳排放佔全球總排放量的 3% ，雖然比例不高，但成長速度卻相當快速。根據國際民航組織（ICAO）的估計，到 2050 年，航空業的碳排放量將達到 2020 年的三倍。因此，減碳是航空業面臨的首要挑戰。
為了減少碳排放，航空公司正積極採取多項措施，包括：採用燃油效率更高的新一代飛機、使用航空永續燃油 (SAF)、推動廢棄物的減量和回收利用等方式。延伸閱讀：《知識》如何減少飛機餐產生的垃圾？
例如，阿聯酋航空在 2022 年宣布，將在 2035 年之前，將永續航空燃油的使用比例提高到 50%。該公司也透過回收、減塑等方式推動廢棄物的減量和回收利用，例如將機上吸管、攪拌棒等一次性用品採用紙及木製品替代，餐盤、餐蓋及過夜包摻配回收塑膠再製，毛毯更來自100%回收寶特瓶。阿聯酋航空還有一套改善飛行油耗的環保 SOP，透過引擎滑行降速、反向怠速、最佳化襟翼降落、管控飛行速度、使用直接航線等，加上其他營運計畫，已在一年內降低超過 5 萬噸耗油，並減少 16 萬噸的碳排放。
ESG 已成為航空業的競爭優勢之一。航空公司必須積極採取措施，減少碳排放和環境影響，才能在未來的競爭中取得優勢。
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Sustainable Aviation: A Greener Future for Air Travel
The world's growing focus on climate change and environmental protection has pushed industries to embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a key goal. The aviation industry, with its substantial carbon emissions, has also started prioritizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, actively seeking sustainable development strategies for the future.The aviation industry's carbon emissions account for 3% of global emissions, its growth rate is alarming. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projects that by 2050, aviation emissions will triple compared to 2020 levels. Therefore, carbon reduction is the industry's top challenge.
To combat this challenge, airlines are implementing various measures: adopting new-generation aircraft, utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and promoting waste reduction and recycling.
Emirates Airlines, for instance, aims to achieve a 50% sustainable aviation fuel usage by 2035. Additionally, they promote waste reduction and recycling through initiatives like replacing single-use items with eco-friendly alternatives and using recycled materials for various products. Emirates also follows strict environmental SOPs to optimize fuel consumption during flights, resulting in significant emission reductions.
ESG has become a competitive advantage for airlines. By actively reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact, airlines can gain a significant edge in future market competition.
