#Sustainability20: Contrail warming could be reduced for less than €4 per flight ticket & more
Weekly round-up - 22/11/24
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
Research reveals that modifying three percent of flight paths could halve global contrail warming by 2040, offering cost-effective climate benefits without significantly increasing fuel consumption.
The US government's SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap Implementation framework outlines interagency coordination to achieve three billion gallons of production by 2030, whilst supporting agricultural innovation and infrastructure development.
GE Aerospace and NASA have launched contrail studies using LiDAR technology to visualise and understand atmospheric effects of aircraft emissions.
Environmental Defense Fund research highlights the economic potential of American-made e-fuels for aviation decarbonisation whilst supporting renewable electricity grid transition.
Emirates is the first airline joining the Move to -15°C global coalition, launched at COP28 in the UAE to reduce energy use in the frozen food supply chain. The airline contributes its expertise in fresh produce logistics to support this transformative initiative.
The Aviation Circularity Consortium has released its 2050 roadmap, outlining recommendations to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation by creating value from end-of-life retired aircraft.
Over 600 airports worldwide are managing carbon emissions through Airport Carbon Accreditation, marking significant progress in global airport decarbonisation efforts.
AirAsia's Tony Fernandes has dismissed SAF as impractical, advocating for new-technology aircraft to achieve aviation's sustainability goals.
CLIMATE WATCH: UAE urges countries to honour fossil fuels vow amid Cop29 impasse - The Guardian
The United Arab Emirates has reinforced its commitment to fossil fuel transition, challenging Saudi Arabia's attempts to revise climate agreements.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
London Gatwick and Great Western Railway (GWR) have partnered to enhance the North Downs Line, connecting the airport to Surrey and the Thames Valley, in support of Gatwick’s goal to boost public transport and low-emission journeys to 60% by 2030.
Bahrain International Airport has become the world’s first airport to receive IATA Environmental Assessment Certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
HSBC Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, and EcoCeres have partnered to promote the use of SAF in Hong Kong, aiming to decarbonise air travel and build a local SAF ecosystem.
Denmark is advancing aviation sustainability through SAS and Fjord PtX partnership, developing synthetic fuel production whilst creating green employment opportunities.
Major corporations have joined the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance to invest $200 million in SAF deals, funding 50 million gallons for Alaska Airlines to cut business travel emissions.
Firefly Green Fuels has partnered with Brazilian firm Sanepar to convert biosolids into SAF through hydrothermal liquefaction.
McDermott has secured an agreement with Willis Sustainable Fuels to develop SAF facilities in Teesside, targeting 50,000 litres of daily production.
Corteva and BP plan a joint venture to produce crop-based biofuel feedstocks, targeting one million metric tonnes annually by the mid-2030s.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
AMSL Aero has commenced untethered test flights of Vertiia electric aircraft, progressing towards type certification whilst developing hydrogen-electric propulsion.
SkyDrive has partnered with SAI Flight to develop electric air taxi routes from Greenville Downtown Airport, expanding advanced air mobility solutions.
Embraer has extended its hydrogen-powered aircraft development timeline to 2040, citing unexpected technical challenges in propulsion technology advancement.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has incorporated Joby Aviation's electric vertical takeoff aircraft, enabling virtual pilots to experience urban air mobility operations.