In the coming decades, new aircraft engines and production methods could make flying more sustainable. “Hybrid flying” using electrical energy has already begun and 3D printing promises higher efficiency and a cleaner production process.

Experts in Germany and the EU are ascertaining the environmental ranking of different transport modes.

The EU wanted to exert international pressure to speed up the reduction of carbon emissions in air traffic. However, it failed because its climate policy met with existing conflicts of interest.

Air traffic must become climate neutral and more environmentally friendly. The question has been the subject of discussions since 2014 between Airbus Group and the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Now, they have summarised the outcome of this dialogue in the publication ‘Oben – Ihr Flugbegleiter’ (Aloft – An Inflight Review). The publication will be presented at the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) on 1st June 2016 in Berlin.

“Aloft - An Inflight Review” is a joint publication of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Airbus Group. In the following interview Ralf Fücks explains how such a co-operation project came about and what steps need to be taken to make air travel more environmentally friendly.

All graphics of the publication Aloft - An Inflight Review are under the Creative Commons license CC-BY-NC-ND. This means: You can copy and redistribute the work in compliance with these conditions.

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Flying is a central component of the globally networked world. At the same time, the environmental impact can no longer be ignored. Air traffic needs to become more environmentally friendly. This is where the cooperation of Airbus Group and the Heinrich Böll Foundation begins, because a climate-friendly flying is a common interest of all.

The German federal government sees Egypt as a state that can guarantee regional stability. But especially the support of the regime as-Sisi increases the instability in the region. It's time for a new approach to Egypt.

Opening remarks on the occasion of the "EU Quo Vadis?" Conference of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Berlin on May 26th, 2016 titled "Crossing Boundaries in European Asylum and Refugee Policy".