Reaching climate targets difficult, but not impossible for aviation
Reaching climate targets difficult, but not impossible for aviation
Issue #13 of Sustainability in the Air Newsletter
Climate change activists are normally highly sceptical about the aviation industry’s net zero targets, instead demanding that air travel be suppressed and in some cases even calling for it to be treated as a “social ill” like the alcohol or tobacco industries (see a recent newsletter).
Now, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has said that the industry’s targets are possible, albeit very challenging.
In a report that has just been published, the ICCT laid out three different scenarios and roadmaps.
The most ambitious one sees aviation’s cumulative emissions being consistent with the 1.75ºC pathway under which aviation doesn’t increase its share of a global carbon budget.
However, to reach that target, the industry’s fossil fuel use will have to peak in 2025, so only three years from now.
The most ambitious (breakthrough) scenario envisages sustained Govt intervention to foster investments in zero-carbon aircraft and fuels.
This scenario also predicts fuel and price increases due to the volume of SAF needed.
Under the breakthrough scenario, fuel costs increase by 34% and 70% in 2030 and 2050, respectively, due to the adoption of these more expensive fuels.
Positive story of the day
Wizz Air and Airbus sign an agreement on hydrogen-powered aircraft operations (Aviation 24)
Sustainability news
ITA Shows Off A Sustainability Livery For An Airbus A350 (Simple Flying)
Europe’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate Leads World in Policy — and Debate (Skift)
Will budget conscious Scoot travellers pay more for SIA's new sustainable travel initiative? (Marketing Interactive)
IndiGo On A Green Mission To Conserve Water And Reduce Carbon Emissions (Travel Trends Today)
AirAsia adding software to drive down emissions (Retail News Asia)