Module: Sustainable Aviation & Green Innovation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sustainable Aviation & Green Innovation
Module Code	MNA1035 (ITS: MT5243)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Aviation's environmental externalities need to be managed. The micro-credential module aims to provide students with the knowledge and background to develop strategies and solutions for aviation to become more sustainable. Emphasis is placed on innovative technologies and practices across the sector, like Sustainable Aviation Fuels, aircraft technology, Air traffic control procedures and airspace optimisation. Finally, this micro-credential module merges academia with practice by involving the industry in the learning process via industry guest speakers, case studies, and other synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.

Learning Outcomes

1. Assess environmental policies and practices in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and feasibility
2. Develop strategies for the aviation to mitigate externalities, but also adapt to phenomena like climate change impacts
3. Develop a critical understanding of how technology can enhance sustainability and its associated challenges, applying this to an organisational context.
4. Explore green solutions as a whole and evaluate which solution is appropriate for the short, mid and long term per sector of the aviation industry

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	21	Lecture (on-campus and synchronous online)
Assignment Completion	40	Completion of research for assignment and assignment preparation and documentation
Directed learning	96	Class-related reading and activities, guided reading and further learning.
Independent Study	30.5	Reading, research, library work
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	10656	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marina Efthymiou	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Written Exam	Interactive Oral Assessment Scenario: The students participate in a consulting project where they need to discuss the environmental performance of a company/or industry and propose appropriate solutions. The assessment is conducted online.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Environmental externalities in aviation
It will focus on environmental economics and their application to aviation. It will elaborate on Local Air Quality, Noise Pollution and Climate Change

Environmental policies and actions for aviation
It will focus on Market Based Measures, Carbon offsetting, ICAO Annex 16, Emissions Trading Scheme, CORSIA, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, operations and technological innovations

Implementing green innovations
The cost of green technologies will be covered, along with the implementation complexity. The criticism of various measures, like Biofuels, batteries, Carbon capture and storage are central for this module along with the trafe-offs of the various environmental actions.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Roberto Sabatini: 2020, Sustainable Aviation Technology and Operations, Wiley, 550, 9781118932582
Abu Yousuf,Cristina Gonzalez-Fernandez: 2022, Sustainable Alternatives for Aviation Fuels, Elsevier, 286, 9780323857161
Thomas Walker, Angela Stefania Bergantino, Northrop Sprung-Much, Luisa Loiacono: 2020, Sustainable Aviation Greening the Flight Path, Springer, 9783030286
Ben Daley: 2010, Air Transport and the Environment, Routledge, 255, 0754672867

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None