The Path to Sustainable Aviation: Addressing Climate Change and Reducing Emissions

In recent years, the aviation industry has faced mounting pressure to address climate change and reduce its carbon emissions. With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) setting a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the industry is now actively seeking solutions to make air travel more sustainable.

One key component of the industry's strategy is the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). These fuels have the potential to significantly cut net emissions, with estimates suggesting an 80% reduction compared to traditional jet fuels. SAFs can be produced from a variety of sources, including plants, recycled cooking oil, household waste, and renewable energy.

While SAFs offer a promising solution, they alone will not be enough to reach the net zero emissions target. To achieve this ambitious goal, the aviation industry will need to explore new propulsion designs, such as electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft. These innovative technologies hold the potential to revolutionize air travel and further reduce carbon emissions.

However, the transition to greener aviation comes with a price tag. The industry will need to invest in infrastructure and develop new technologies, which could lead to higher ticket prices and potentially make air travel less affordable for some. Balancing the financial implications with the urgent need to address climate change will be a challenge that the industry must navigate.

Join us in this episode as we delve into the aviation industry's efforts to tackle climate change and reduce emissions. We explore the role of sustainable aviation fuels, the need for new propulsion designs, and the potential impact on ticket prices and accessibility. Discover how the industry is working towards a more sustainable future and the challenges it faces along the way.

The aviation industry is responsible for more than 2% of annual carbon emissions. That figure is set to rise as more passengers take to the skies. But the sector has set itself an ambitious target: to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. 

On this week’s podcast, hosts Tom Lee-Devlin and Alice Fulwood ask if airlines can really go green. Tom discovers the limits of battery-powered flight when a trip in one of the world’s first electric planes ends in an emergency landing. Andreea Moyes, from Air BP, explains why sustainable aviation fuel—and not batteries—will help solve the industry’s carbon problem. And Jim Harris, from consultancy Bain, argues that the days of cheap flying may be behind us.

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