“Five Ways to Make Aviation More Sustainable Right Now: A Call to Action”
In a recent article published by The Conversation, Mark Maslin, professor of natural sciences at University College London (UCL), and Iain Hanson, honorary professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL, discuss the urgent need to make aviation more sustainable in the face of climate change.
The aviation industry is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for around 2.5% of total emissions. However, the manufacturing of concrete, which emits closer to 8% of global emissions, and other sources of emissions such as petrol cars and gas central heating often go unnoticed in comparison to the highly visible impact of aviation.
With global warming already surpassing 1.5ËC and the potential for catastrophic consequences if temperatures rise above 3ËC, urgent action is needed to reduce global emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation industry is expected to regroup and grow, becoming a trillion-dollar industry by 2030. However, the industry is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with incidents of clear air turbulence and extreme weather events impacting air travel safety and efficiency.
To address these challenges, Maslin and Hanson propose five key steps to make aviation more sustainable:
1. Optimise flight planning and airspace: By using advanced technologies and optimisation software, airlines can reduce fuel consumption, emissions, and turbulence events, improving both environmental impact and passenger comfort.
2. Make operations more sustainable: Investing in modern fuel-efficient aircraft, retrofitting existing aircraft, and optimizing weight distribution can significantly reduce emissions and improve efficiency.
3. Switch to sustainable fuels: Transitioning from conventional to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can lower COâ emissions by 20â98% compared to conventional fuel, but the quality, reliability, and supply of SAFs need to be ensured.
4. Make airports more eco-friendly: Utilizing renewable energy for airport operations, improving ground operations, and designing sustainable airports can reduce emissions and environmental impact.
5. Smart travel: Redefining the passenger experience from door to door, offering incentives for sustainable travel options, and reducing luggage weight can make air travel more sustainable for passengers.
Overall, the aviation industry must take immediate and meaningful action to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. By implementing these key steps, aviation can become more sustainable, efficient, and safe for both the environment and passengers.