Sustainability and Environment
Airbus uses hi-tech to gain zero emissions
Airbus's low-emissions research spans carbon-absorbing algae, synthetic spider silk, and hybrid-electric propulsion.
Airbus is researching the use of advanced materials such as algae and synthetic spider silk to produce extremely strong, lightweight, and flexible fibers.
Airbus is researching the use of advanced materials such as algae and synthetic spider silk to produce extremely strong, lightweight, and flexible fibers.

Airbus chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini was quick on her feet when asked about campaigns like #IStayOnThe Ground; “flygskam” [“flight shame” in Swedish; the feeling of being ashamed to board an aircraft]; and 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg’s high-profile train journey through Europe to raise awareness of climate change. How are they affecting Airbus? At the OEM’s pre-Le Bourget briefings May 22 in Toulouse, Vittadini quipped that “Greta” is an acronym for “Green Technology Aircraft.” Her dream? To see Thunberg—who refuses to fly—“stepping on a zero-emissions Airbus.”