Published by: Vivek Dubey
This week’s Paris Airshow has shown a strong rebound in air travel demand and a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in the aviation sector, which accounts for about 3% of global emissions and faces major challenges in decarbonizing.
However, a GE Aerospace survey revealed that nearly a third of the sector’s sustainability executives are skeptical about the net-zero target, while new European regulations will oblige many airlines to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and monitor their carbon footprint more closely.
Airlines want more SAF, a low-carbon alternative to jet fuel.
SAF is very expensive and scarce, accounting for only 0.1% of aviation fuel.
SAF is mostly made from biological sources that have limited availability.
Synthetic e-fuels are another option, but they are even more costly and rare.
The EU wants to reform air traffic management to shorten flights and cut emissions.
Airlines support a single European sky for more efficient and direct routes.
The reform faces delays due to employment worries in some countries.
Airlines fund projects like tree planting and renewable energy to offset their emissions.
Some projects are ineffective or insufficient to reduce atmospheric carbon levels.
The UN’s CORSIA scheme, which becomes mandatory in 2027, will use offsets to help airlines cap emissions at 85% of 2019 levels.
easyJet has stopped using offsets and is investing in more innovation instead.
Hydrogen-powered and electric engines are seen as the ultimate solution to cut emissions.
Airbus plans to launch its first commercial hydrogen-powered plane in 2035.
Hydrogen-powered planes will only work for shorter flights.
Long-haul travel will still depend mainly on SAF to lower emissions.
New planes can reduce emissions by up to 25% compared with older ones.
Supply chain issues delay new plane deliveries and revive older models that emit more.
Environmental groups warn that more planes flying will lead to larger cumulative emissions.