Bombardier has completed a thorough analysis of the Global 5500 and Global 6500 in order to publish Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for two of its large aircraft. They join the Global 7500 aircraft and the Challenger 3500 aircraft as business aviation's only EPD-designated jets.

For over a decade, Bombardier has dedicated a full time internal team of experts to the development of standardisable key metrics, data gathering, validation and analysis. Bringing together industry players and 45 tier-1 suppliers, Bombardier assessed 200,000 aircraft parts over the development of the Global 7500 aircraft programme, gaining valuable insights on the environmental impact of this business jet and leading to a third-party verified public report.

The industry-leading, high-performance Global 7500 aircraft became the first business aircraft to receive an EPD designation for this report in 2020 and was followed by the Challenger 3500 EPD in 2022. The holistic methodology was replicated in analysing the Global 5500 and Global 6500 programmes, where 280,000 parts were assessed.

“The publication of the Global 5500 and Global 6500 aircraft EPDs are the results of years of scientific effort,” says executive vice president, engineering and product development Michel Ouellette. “These declarations are more than brochures: they are tools for the aviation industry to drive sustainable innovations across its activities spectrum. They are also the outcome of the thoroughness, mindfulness and ingenuity of a uniquely skilled internal team of experts. As a company, we are immeasurably proud that the reputation of our products and exciting opportunities attract the best minds in the world.”

Thanks to the colossal groundwork done by Bombardier's dedicated team in establishing environmental requirements at the design phase of future programmes, the Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jets possess strong sustainability elements. From a design perspective, they feature up to 13 per cent better fuel efficiency than their predecessors with redesigned wings and new purpose-built Rolls-Royce Pearl engines. The high-speed transonic wing on these aircraft also cuts down on drag, reducing fuel burn and lowering emissions, offering a smooth ride, excellent short-field and high-speed performance. Bombardier also currently offers sustainable cabin material options for the interior of all aircraft.

“Bombardier has the influence and expertise to change the future of aviation,” adds Ouellette. “We made the decision over 10 years ago to tackle the industry's most urgent challenge in the long run with our EcoJet research platform; in the short run by encouraging the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF); and in the medium run by adopting a sustainability mindset when designing all our aircraft; before the first piece of sheet metal is cut. With our business jet EPDs, we have equipped ourselves with a comprehensive and replicable methodology to ensure environmental risks and impacts across our value chain are identified now, and effectively managed through our continuous innovation and improvement approach.”

The extensive data gleaned in the development of Bombardier's product life cycle analysis, which is available for the industry and the public to consult, helps key players reevaluate how current aircraft are designed and built. Bombardier's sustainable cabin interiors materials offering is one example of how this life cycle analysis led to tangible product improvement. Meanwhile, in working towards inventing the future of sustainable aviation with its long-term view EcoJet research platform, these EPDs are already influencing decisions at the supply chain level, by mapping a clear strategy for sustainable sourcing and product development processes.

Bombardier's overall environmental, social and governance (ESG) plan also supports the industry-wide aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, by actively advocating for the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, enhancing aircraft recoverability and sustainable sourcing, improving energy efficiency in its operations, optimising carbon offsets and more.