SUSTAINABILITY-A BIG MILESTONE

A steely-eyed focus on sustainability is fundamentally altering the way the airline industry operates. But the pace of progress in both SAF and engine enhancement must be greatly accelerated to make net zero a reality

- JOSEPH NORONHA

COMMERCIAL FLIGHT IS THE ONLY VIABLE OPTION FOR transporting large groups of people quickly over large distances. The aircraft that do this burn fossil fuel, which is packed with energy but releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere when burnt. While there has been tremendous progress in increasing fuel efficiency and curbing emissions over the decades, aviation is currently responsible for 2.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, aviation condensation trails (or contrails) that contain ice crystals as well as water vapour, soot and sulphate aerosols contribute significantly to global warming in ways that are still being assessed. While other highly emissive industries like energy, road transport, and steel and cement manufacturing are gradually going green, air travel is extremely hard to decarbonise. Hence its relative share of emissions is expected to rise. But what makes the picture truly worrisome is that air traffic is surging across the globe, so aviation’s emissions could well triple by 2050.

Acutely aware of the looming possibility that commercial aviation could effectively become environmentally unsustainable, in October 2022, member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed to a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net zero emissions from aviation by 2050. Net zero means the amount of GHG removed from the atmosphere is equal to that emitted by that activity. A near-term milestone of reducing carbon emissions by five per cent by 2030 has also been formulated. So, what is the airline industry doing to promote sustainability?

AIMING AT EVERYTHING