According to the Energy Transitions Commission, an aviation industry group, aviation accounts for almost 3 percent of global human-generated carbon dioxide emissions. Without urgent action, that share could rise to 22 percent by 2050?
So what measures are available to achieve net zero emissions from aviation?
1. Scaling up sustainable aviation fuel use
Replacing kerosene, which has traditionally been used to fuel aircraft, with sustainable aviation fuels has considerable potential to reduce flight emissions.
Sustainable aviation fuels are primarily derived from forestry or agricultural waste, rather than fossil fuels, and the use of sustainable aviation fuels could reduce aviation CO2 emissions by about 70 percent. Sustainable aviation fuels are currently much more expensive than kerosene, but production at scale could help reduce costs and make it easier for more airlines to use.
2. Improving the efficiency of current aviation systems
By forming new models with improvements to engines, wings, structures, etc., and using them to phase out older models, approximately 20 million tons of CO2 emissions could be reduced by 2050.
Improve airport operations, using single-engine or even electric motor taxiing can reduce CO2 emissions by 60% on the current flight, and airport vehicles using autopilot, using electric trailers, rationalizing loads, and optimizing flight routes can also reduce CO2 emissions.
Optimize the use of airspace, focus on optimizing the queue for landing at busy airports, and focus on the problem of additional CO2 emissions due to fuel refueling.
In addition, a new engine, with an open fan blade structure, could be developed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce flight emissions.
The open structure will remove the blade housing and improve flight efficiency by reducing flight weight.
In addition, the open design will allow for larger blades to be installed, allowing more air to flow around the engine rather than just through the interior of the engine, thereby reducing flight drag. Open fan blade structure engines are compatible with sustainable aviation fuels and alternative fuels such as hydrogen and could be in service by the mid-2030s.
3. vigorously promote zero-emission flights
The UK has already demonstrated many small electric aircraft to the public, and it is expected that hydrogen-electric and all-electric aircraft can be put into the regional and airline market in the next decade; however, the operation of zero-emission aircraft depends on the continuous progress of battery and liquid hydrogen propulsion technology.
Policy recommendations in the Strategy include achieving zero-emission routes within the UK by 2030, examining the feasibility of using zero-emission aircraft on public service routes, and supporting the introduction of zero-emission aircraft and related technologies in the airline sector.
4. Implementing carbon trading schemes and greenhouse gas removal technologies
Market-based pricing of carbon dioxide emissions will encourage companies to invest in green technologies, but the cost of purchasing carbon credits by companies may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher airfares.
In addition, there will still be a carbon emissions surplus in 2050 (the residual from decarbonization of the aviation industry) that needs to be considered for offset using GHG removal technology, but there is uncertainty about this technology and no commercial applications are currently available.
5. Inducing consumers to choose to fly green
In addition to the tax, there is a range of other measures to guide consumers to choose to travel green, such as offering a choice of different routes or different airlines and working with the CAA to explore providing environmental information when passengers book tickets, but with attention to the potential for unhealthy competition.
To this end, policy recommendations from the Strategy include further exploring the impact of providing environmental information to passengers when they book tickets and rewarding the airline sector for its success in decarbonization.
