A Step Forward in Aviation Sustainability
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and EUROCONTROL have taken a major step towards a unified way of calculating gate-to-gate CO2 emissions. This approach, grounded in actual flight data, aims to help the aviation sector track and reduce emissions with greater accuracy.
The collaboration builds on a robust data foundation, combining radar and aircraft performance insights with advanced modelling tools. Through this method, CO2 emissions are calculated from the moment an aircraft leaves the gate to the time it parks at its destination, offering a full picture of fuel efficiency across every flight phase.
The Role of Data in Accuracy
Using data from the EUROCONTROL Aviation Intelligence Unit and EASA’s Data4Safety platform, the validation process involved over 1.19 million flights. The results showed that the model’s estimates are impressively close to real-world fuel burn data, with an average variance of just 0.6 percent. Such precision makes this a reliable tool for both regulators and airlines to monitor progress toward carbon reduction goals.
Building a Shared Future
The joint methodology marks more than just a technical achievement—it sets the stage for consistent, data-driven environmental accountability in aviation. As future refinements are made, especially for specific flight phases, this model will strengthen the industry’s collective journey toward climate neutrality by 2050.
Conclusion
The EASA–EUROCONTROL initiative proves that collaboration and innovation can lead to meaningful environmental insights. By refining how emissions are measured, the aviation sector moves one step closer to a more sustainable future.
Download Document File Here: Gate-to-Gate CO2 Emissions — 2025