Aviation Sector Told To Publish Its Sustainability Efforts More Loudly

According to an expert who has spoken to industry officials, the airline industry is not making enough noise about its environmental initiatives.

Director of the Sustainable Aviation Program Dr. Andy Jefferson claimed that the aviation sector has already made greater progress toward zero emissions than most industries.

He claimed that decarbonization of the sectors was possible because to modern propulsion technologies, sustainable aviation fuels, and reformed airspace. As an industry, we are not speaking up enough about many things, he said.

Between 2005 and 2019, airlines had already increased passenger numbers by 30% while only slightly increasing emissions, he claimed. The first net-zero transatlantic flight was in the works, and carbon capture for fuel production was already a reality.

More effective aircraft and “free route airspace,” which allows pilots to choose their own entry and leave points in a block of airspace, will further reduce CO2, according to him. He said that by 2050, SAF would be responsible for the majority of emissions reductions (39%). Although it has undergone testing in Scotland and the southwest, the latter will encounter opposition in some areas due to noise.

The removal of carbon would result in a 13% reduction, which was another noteworthy breakthrough. Jefferson stated that by 2050, they hope to be carbon removal rather than carbon offsetting.

The expense of sustainability solutions, as a final component, would result in reduced demand, which would remove 14% of carbon, according to him. “This is an acknowledgement of the cost of this, there will be a 14% reduction in unconstrained demand.” He estimated the extra cost at “around £15 per passenger”.

In response to complaints that there wouldn’t be enough SAF in the UK, Jefferson stated that by 2050, SAF could supply 75% of aviation fuel. In the UK, good policy has the potential to create 60,000 jobs and £11 billion. In our opinion, the UK could produce two thirds.

By 2025, the government promises to have “at least” five SAF plants in the works. said Jefferson. “The aviation industry needs government assistance; we cannot accomplish this on our own.”

He claimed that the UK was ideally suited for carbon removal initiatives that utilized subterranean CO2 storage. We have these enormous caves beneath the North Sea because of oil and gas development. For the UK, it’s practically a USP opportunity that we want to take advantage of.

Aviation 360