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Drones and the European Green Deal: Embracing Technology for a Sustainable Future

The European Union’s comprehensive Green Deal serves as a cornerstone in the journey towards a prosperous society, defined by a resource-efficient, competitive, and modern economy. This strategy envisions net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, aiming to separate economic growth from resource use. Drones, with their multifaceted applications, occupy a significant place within the Sustainability and Mobility Strategy, offering substantial potential for advancing the green transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this article, Petar Murginski delves deeper into the evolving landscape of drone technology within the context of the EU’s far-reaching sustainability goals. 

Introduction     

Imagine a world where drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, play a significant role in everyday life: delivering parcels, monitoring environmental changes, and transforming agricultural practices. Now, consider that all these activities support a resource-efficient, competitive, and modern economy, propelling us towards a zero-emission future. This is not just a science fiction scenario – it is a key part of the European Union’s ambitious Green Deal. Drones hold the potential to revolutionize sustainability and mobility, playing a crucial role in the green transition and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. But how does this align with current regulations and what funding opportunities exist for innovative drone technologies? The answers to these intriguing questions, and the path to this promising future, are revealed in the following sections of this article. 

The European Green Deal and Drones 

The European Green Deal, announced in December 2020, embodies an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Flagship 7 – Innovation, Data, and Artificial Intelligence of the Sustainability and Smart Mobility Strategy specifically identifies drones as crucial elements. This is not a mere theoretical proposition – drones have already made a tangible impact in the single market, from enhancing the efficiency of delivery services to providing real-time data for environmental monitoring and facilitating precision farming. Beyond these, they have the potential to reshape several other sectors, leading us closer to a greener and more sustainable European economy. 

Navigating EU Regulations for Drones: Balancing Innovation and Safety 

Recognizing the vast potential of drones, the EU has exercised diligence in crafting comprehensive regulations. Given their range of applications and the associated risks, drone operations necessitate a robust legislative framework that deftly balances innovation, safety, and security. While drones offer numerous benefits, it is important to remember a couple of significant considerations. Firstly, as drone usage grows, the issue of privacy may naturally come to the forefront. With high-definition cameras, drones might unintentionally collect data that goes beyond their intended remit. Secondly, the safety and security associated with drones, ranging from potential accidents due to technical failures or human errors to the deliberate misuse for illicit activities, deserve careful thought within the realm of regulation.  

As a cornerstone of the regulatory landscape, the European Commission’s Drone Strategy 2.0 aims to have drones widely used and regulated by 2030, setting the foundation for the development of the drone ecosystem in Europe. The strategy outlines 19 flagship actions grouped into 9 chapters, encompassing Airspace capabilities, Aerial operations, Innovative air mobility, Sustainability, Social acceptance, Skills and training, Funding and financing, Research and innovation, and Counter-drone capabilities

To reinforce these guidelines, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 classifies drones into Open, Specific, and Certified categories based on weight and operational purpose, providing clear guidelines for drone operations. Additionally, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 outlines the technical requirements for drones to be operated in the Open category. 

In a recent move to bolster drone safety, a package of implementing regulations on U-space was adopted in 2021. These regulations help ensure the safety of drone operations in airspace and their integration with manned aviation, establishing an environment that simultaneously encourages innovation and ensures public safety. These provisions have been in effect since 26 January 2023. 

Sustainable Applications of Drones 

Drones, with their multifaceted capabilities, are pioneering sustainable transformations in multiple sectors, such as Transportation, Agriculture, Environmental conservation, Delivery services, Emergency services, Security and defence.

    1. Green Mobility with Drones 

One of the key strategies to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to encourage green mobility. Drones, specifically fixed-wing types and hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, can become instrumental in promoting sustainable transportation. Unlike conventional vehicles, drones have the potential for zero-emission flights. They can operate using renewable energy sources such as solar cells or hydrogen fuel cells, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This transformation in the transportation sector can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the use of drones for transportation can decongest urban areas, indirectly reducing emissions from idling vehicles. However, the implementation of drones for transportation faces several challenges. One issue is noise pollution, as drones can generate significant noise, particularly in urban areas. Furthermore, as drone usage increases, substantial upgrades will be needed in air traffic management systems to avoid accidents and ensure efficient operations.

    2. Efficient Agriculture 

In the agricultural sector, drones are revolutionizing practices, making them more efficient and sustainable. They provide precision agriculture solutions, targeting specific areas for irrigation or fertilization, reducing water and chemical use. This efficient method of farming can lead to significant resource conservation and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Drones can also assist in monitoring crop health and detecting pests or diseases early, reducing crop loss and the overuse of pesticides. Drone technology can help strike a balance between food production needs and environmental preservation.

    3. Environmental Monitoring 

Environmental conservation and climate action require consistent monitoring and data collection, areas where drones can be particularly useful. They can provide essential data on multiple environmental factors, such as air quality, wildlife populations, and changes in ecosystems. Offering a bird’s-eye view, drones assist in monitoring deforestation, tracking changes in ice caps, or surveying marine life, contributing to the understanding and mitigation of climate change.

    4. Efficient Delivery Services 

The use of drones for delivery services can offer considerable benefits for urban environments. Drone-based delivery can reduce reliance on traditional road transport, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, this technology can help decrease congestion in urban areas, further contributing to a cleaner, more efficient urban environment. Moreover, drones can be used in hard-to-reach areas, providing essential supplies during emergencies, which increases the resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters, another aspect of climate change mitigation.

    5. Emergency Services 

Drones have transformed emergency services by providing real-time aerial views, aiding in search and rescue operations, and delivering essential supplies to remote locations. Equipped with advanced technologies, these unmanned aerial vehicles enhance situational awareness and response times during emergencies. Their ability to navigate challenging terrain and inaccessible areas makes them invaluable tools in disaster management, or search and rescue operations. In emergency medical services, drones can deliver essential supplies, such as medical equipment and life-saving medication, to remote or hard-to-reach locations. The application of drones in emergency services showcases their potential to improve disaster management, enhance public safety, and save lives.

    6. Security and Defence Applications 

Drones, beyond their commercial and environmental applications, are increasingly being adopted by the security and defence sector due to their versatile capabilities. These unmanned aerial vehicles excel in surveillance and reconnaissance, providing vital real-time data that enhances situational awareness and reduces risk. They offer an eye in the sky, much like they do for environmental monitoring. Their precision in operations allows for highly accurate maneuvers, minimizing unintended consequences and reinforcing their importance in complex security scenarios. Drones also revolutionize logistics and supply chains by swiftly delivering essential provisions to remote defence units. Additionally, drones can support communication and navigation, especially in compromised environments. They serve as communication relays, and aid in navigation in GPS-denied settings. As the role of drones in the security and defence expands in alignment with the European Green Deal’s focus on innovation and sustainability, emphasizing their responsible and ethical usage within international laws and standards becomes increasingly important. 

EU Centralized Funding for Sustainable Drone Innovation 

The EU offers several funding mechanisms that could stimulate innovation and incentivize sustainable drone use, including: 

  • Horizon Europe: This funding program, with a budget of €95.5 billion, supports initiatives related to climate change, clean energy, and environmental sustainability. It presents significant opportunities for advancements in sustainable drone technology. 
  • LIFE Program: With a budget of €5.4 billion for 2021–2027, the LIFE Program funds projects that leverage drones for environmental conservation and climate resilience. 

However, one key challenge that remains to be overcome, and which could benefit from these funding opportunities, is the limitation in drone battery life and range. At present, the operational range and time of drones are constrained by their battery capacity, which can inhibit their effectiveness in some applications. Overcoming this challenge through funding and research could significantly enhance the potential for sustainable drone applications. By investing in battery technologies, alternative power sources, and energy-efficient systems, the EU can drive innovation in sustainable drone technology and unlock their full potential for a greener future. 

The Role of Bulgaria in Sustainable Drone Application 

Bulgaria, a member of the EU, has actively embraced sustainable drone applications. Real-world examples from Bulgaria, albeit in an initial phase, offer a glimpse into how drones can effectively support sectors towards sustainability.  For instance, Bulgarian farmers have adopted drone technology for precision irrigation and crop health monitoring, optimizing resource usage and boosting crop yield. In the sphere of environmental conservation, drones play a crucial role in collecting vital data about Bulgaria’s unique biodiversity, helping towards the conservation of its diverse ecosystems. For emergency services and land surveying, drones have become indispensable tools, allowing for quick response times and detailed aerial surveillance. 

Bulgaria’s efforts in fostering drone innovation have been supported by key funding mechanisms, including the Bulgarian National Innovation Fund and the Operational Program Innovation and Competitiveness. These initiatives have provided support to drone-related startups, creating an environment conductive to technological advancement within the country. Furthermore, in the face of crises, Bulgaria has utilized drone technology for effective response, capitalizing on cross-border cooperation and funding opportunities provided by the Interreg Programs. This active involvement in drone applications, despite being in an early stage, aligns Bulgaria with the objectives of the Green Deal, emphasizing its commitment to achieving a sustainable future through technological innovation. 

Conclusion 

As the goals of the European Green Deal steer our trajectory, the transformative potential of drones in sustainability becomes increasingly clear. The European Union, positioning itself as a global leader in this arena, is proactively developing and deploying sustainable drone technologies. This commitment, an integral part of the EU’s Sustainability and Mobility Strategy, can catalyze substantial change across sectors and steer us towards a greener and more sustainable future. But the questions remain: How can we ensure we tap into this potential to its fullest? How do we navigate the funding mechanisms that fuel this progress?

Deloitte’s Gi3 team stands ready to advise entrepreneurs and innovators in accessing EU funding mechanisms and exploring the integration of drones into their operations. Together, let’s shape the trajectory towards a sustainable future. 

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