Bombardier CSeries environmental performance confirmed by outside global agency

MONTREAL — Bombardier says its new CSeries aircraft has received the aviation industry’s first independent environmental certification, confirming the promise of a commercial jet with a substantially lower carbon footprint.

The Montreal-based manufacturer says the CS100, which was entered into service by Swiss International Air Lines in June, received the Environmental Product Declaration from Sweden’s International EPD System.

“It adds credibility to what we say when we talk about this airplane being a green airplane,” Fred Cromer, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said in an interview.

The declaration was announced on the eve of the general assembly of UN agency International Civil Aviation Organization, which will focus on sustainable development.

The declaration confirms the environmental impact of the plane over the product’s projected 20- to 30-year lifespan from start through to recycling parts once decommissioned.

With fuel consumption equivalent to 50 kilometres per litre, Bombardier says that over its lifespan each CSeries will emit 120,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide than other jets of similar size. That’s comparable to taking more than 32,000 mid-sized cars off the road for a year.

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) has received eight certifications for its railway products but said this is the first for any airplane.

Cromer said the declaration can only help sales efforts by validating that the plane fits into the green agenda of airlines.

About 600 EPDs have been registered by 150 companies in 31 countries over 15 years.

The International EPD System says the voluntary declaration doesn’t imply that the product is environmentally better than alternatives.

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Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press
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