As the first quarter of 2025 is coming to an end, today’s article
aims to delve into the latest updates regarding sustainability.
New Regulations for a More Sustainable and Competitive Packaging
Economy
Freshly introduced measures aim to boost resource efficiency, foster
a more circular approach to material usage, enhance competitiveness, and
improve economic security.
As of February, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has
come into effect, introducing new policies to address environmental challenges
caused by excessive packaging. This initiative is set to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and environmental costs within the
packaging sector.
Simultaneously, the regulation presents new opportunities for the
recycling and sustainability industries. It marks a crucial step towards
establishing a more competitive, sustainable, and circular economy within the
European Union.
The key objectives of these measures include developing a unified
market for waste, secondary, and reusable materials; promoting recycling; and
decreasing reliance on primary resources. The regulation also emphasizes reuse
and refill solutions as alternatives to single-use packaging while improving
consumer information. These policies will result in more sustainable packaging,
enabling consumers to better reuse and sort their waste according to their
country’s specific needs and business requirements.
Moreover, the regulation is expected to create new business
prospects, generate employment, and drive innovation in packaging solutions.
The enhanced efficiency of the recycling sector will be another added
advantage. Additionally, restrictions on certain hazardous substances will
ensure better consumer health protection and a safer environment. The European
Commission is now focusing on implementing these measures effectively.
Sustainability Advances in the Aviation Industry
2025 marks a pivotal moment in the aviation sector’s path to
achieving net-zero emissions. By September, updated national action plans
detailing strategies for decarbonizing aviation must be submitted to the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
As part of these sustainability initiatives, the first sustainable
aviation fuel (SAF) mandates took effect in Europe in January, with
progressively stricter targets leading up to 2030. In the coming months,
additional SAF plants are expected to finalize investment decisions and move
towards construction. Anticipation is high for major policy decisions at COP30
in October, where aviation and clean fuel strategies will play a significant
role in global discussions, including at the G7 and G20 summits.
Decisive actions taken by industry leaders and governments this year
will be critical in ensuring aviation remains on track to meet internationally
recognized environmental targets while maintaining inclusivity for all regions.
The ICAO’s global vision mandates a 5% reduction in jet fuel carbon intensity
within five years, with a long-term aspiration of achieving net-zero
international aviation by 2050.
However, the industry is projected to experience significant growth
by 2050, posing challenges for balancing sustainability efforts with expansion.
Factors such as geopolitical instability, trade barriers, and evolving
regulatory landscapes are influencing air traffic, policy direction,
investments, and supply chain dynamics. These global events are shaping the
potential for international collaboration—an essential component for a
successful low-carbon transition in aviation.
In light of these developments, the World Economic Forum is
committed to fostering collaboration among governments, aviation stakeholders,
and the broader value chain. The goal is to accelerate the industry’s
transition to net-zero emissions while ensuring sustainability remains at the
forefront of its growth strategy.
The aviation sector has consistently demonstrated resilience in
overcoming past challenges, from safety concerns to supply chain disruptions
and the long-term effects of COVID-19. The focus now is on channelling this
adaptability toward advancing sustainability initiatives and maintaining
momentum in achieving a greener aviation industry. Key questions being
addressed include:
- How can
industry resilience drive greater sustainability? - What
actions should be prioritized to maintain progress toward sustainable
aviation? - Which
risks should public-private partnerships address to speed up
decarbonization efforts?
These critical discussions have shaped a new flagship report based
on insights gathered from aviation executives at the end of 2024 and the
beginning of 2025. This report will provide a comprehensive overview of market
trends, stakeholder perspectives, and opportunities for continued collaboration
in advancing aviation sustainability.
Germany’s Largest Green Hydrogen Initiative
In a significant step toward industrial decarbonization,
TotalEnergies and RWE have signed Germany’s most substantial green hydrogen
agreement. Under this deal, TotalEnergies’ Leuna refinery will receive 30,000
tons of green hydrogen annually starting in 2030. The initiative is expected to
reduce carbon emissions by 300,000 tons per year.
This 15-year contract leverages a 300 MW electrolyser in Lingen,
Germany’s largest such facility. The green hydrogen will be transported via a
600 km pipeline, replacing traditional hydrogen sources and significantly
cutting the refinery’s environmental impact.
This agreement marks a milestone in Germany’s clean energy
transition and underscores the increasing role of green hydrogen in achieving
large-scale emission reductions across industries.
References
Directorate General for Environment
. (2025, February 11). New rules enter into force for a more sustainable
and competitive packaging economy. Retrieved from European Commission:
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-rules-more-sustainable-and-competitive-packaging-economy-2025-02-11_en
ESG News. (2025, March 13). TotalEnergies,
RWE Sign Germany’s Largest Green Hydrogen Deal to Cut 300,000 Tons of CO2.
Retrieved from ESG News:
https://esgnews.com/totalenergies-rwe-sign-germanys-largest-green-hydrogen-deal-to-cut-300000-tons-of-co2/
Neo, G. H., & Erbacci, J. (2025). Global
Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2025. World Economic Forum .
Photo:
https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.FNMOIGJywlWRkLHDXR739wHaD4?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain