Speakers
Description
As part of a CNES study, Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space have jointly published at the end of 2025 a methodological guide for the eco-management of space projects aimed at reducing their environmental impact. This guide is intended to be applicable to all future projects funded by CNES.
A common ambition for a more sustainable space
This mobilization of French stakeholders is part of the roadmap for a decarbonized space sector requested at the end of 2023 by the French Ministry of Economy and presented by CNES on June 18, 2025 at the Paris Air Show. Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space have also contributed to this roadmap, which provides an ambitious but realistic reduction scenario by 2040 (-38% compared to 2023) so that the space industry can play its part in decarbonisation efforts, in line with the National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC) from France. The eco-management of space projects therefore appears essential to meet this ambition.
A chronological and transverse action plan
This guide is a collection of recommendations and good practices for project management that revolves around two complementary axes:
A chronological action plan by project phase:
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Phase 0: Preliminary environmental assessment with tools like OASIS
developed by CNES to define environmental objectives and guide
ecodesign. -
Phases A-B1: Update of the assessment, drafting of a Project
Environmental Plan (PEP) and associated requirements. -
Phases B2-C-D: Conducting a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with
specialized tools like SimaPro and the EcoInvent database to
accurately measure the impact and identify areas for improvement.
Supported by transversal actions:
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Awareness and training of teams.
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Identification of activities to be carried out and stakeholders in
the project organization. -
Optimization of business trips.
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Responsible purchasing management in the consultation, selection and
support of suppliers. -
Capitalization of data collected on physical flows to improve the
accuracy of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
It also addresses the pitfalls frequently encountered in the implementation of such approaches, which constitute areas for improvement.