Katerina Swanson
Airplanes burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions and causing strong warming non-CO2 effects due to nitrogen oxides, vapour trails, and cloud formation. Aviation emissions have been growing faster than any other mode of transport, doubling between 1990 and 2019. Aircraft use large amounts of jet fuel, with a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet burning fuel at a rate of 4 litres per second. The aviation industry is exploring sustainable alternatives, such as hydrogen planes, to reduce its environmental impact. However, challenges related to cost and technology hinder the widespread adoption of these alternatives.
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What You'll Learn
- Aviation fuel is a mix of extremely refined kerosene
- Aircraft burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions
- Aviation emissions have been growing faster than any other mode of transport
- Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases
- The aviation industry is showcasing fossil-fuel-powered aircraft
Aviation fuel is a mix of extremely refined kerosene
Aviation fuel, also known as jet fuel, is used in jet and propeller fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Jet-A, a type of jet fuel, is a mix of extremely refined kerosene that burns at temperatures of 49 °C (120 °F) or higher. Kerosene-based aviation fuel has a higher flash point than gasoline-based fuel, meaning it requires significantly higher temperatures to ignite. This makes it a high-quality fuel. If it does not pass the purity and quality tests for use in jet aircraft, it is sold to ground-based users such as railroads.
Aviation fuel has a low viscosity at low temperatures, a limited range of density and calorific value, burns cleanly, and remains chemically stable when heated to high temperatures. The process of burning jet fuel produces various gases and particulates that have a warming or cooling influence on the climate. CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for about 70% of the exhaust. The gas mixes in the atmosphere with the same direct warming effect that occurs when it is emitted from other fossil fuel combustion sources.
The amount of fuel burned by airplanes is significant. A Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet, for example, can carry 63,000 gallons (240,000 litres) of jet fuel and burns through it at a rate of 4 litres (0.9 gallons) per second. A rough estimate suggests that airplanes burn about 740 million gallons of fuel every day. This large amount of fuel burning contributes to airplane pollution, which is a significant contributor to climate change.
To reduce their impact on the climate, airlines are exploring alternatives to conventional fossil-based aviation fuels. Sustainable aviation fuel and blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels yield lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, these fuels are not yet widely used due to political, technological, and economic barriers, such as higher costs compared to conventionally produced aviation fuels.
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Aircraft burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions
Aviation is a rapidly growing contributor to global emissions. Between 1990 and 2019, aviation emissions more than doubled, and they are expected to continue rising. By 2019, aviation accounted for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and this figure could more than double by 2050 if no mitigating actions are taken. Aircraft emissions also have strong warming non-CO2 effects due to nitrogen oxides, vapour trails, and cloud formation at high altitudes. These non-CO2 effects have an even larger impact on global warming than aircraft CO2 emissions, responsible for two-thirds of aviation's climate impact in 2018.
To address these environmental concerns, the aviation industry is exploring alternative fuels and technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and synthetic fuels are being considered as replacements for conventional fossil-based jet fuels. Additionally, aircraft manufacturers are working to improve fuel efficiency, with new aircraft being approximately 85% more efficient than those from the 1960s. However, the growth in the number of flights and passengers is outpacing these efficiency gains, underscoring the urgency to transition to more sustainable aviation practices.
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Aviation emissions have been growing faster than any other mode of transport
Aircraft burn fossil fuels, releasing CO2 emissions and causing strong warming non-CO2 effects due to nitrogen oxides (NOx), vapour trails, and cloud formation at high altitudes. These non-CO2 effects contribute twice as much to global warming as aircraft CO2 emissions and were responsible for two-thirds of aviation's climate impact in 2018.
To reduce their climate impact, airlines are exploring alternative fuels and flight plans that produce fewer contrails. For example, Dutch airline KLM has partnered with SkyNRG to develop climate-friendly alternatives to conventional kerosene jet fuel. Airbus has also announced plans to develop hydrogen planes within 15 years. However, the lack of innovation in the aviation industry is putting decarbonisation targets at risk.
Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. While more efficient planes can help dampen emissions growth, they cannot eliminate emissions completely. To achieve net-zero emissions, the industry must move away from jet fuel and towards electrification, biofuels, and hydrogen. Political agreement on net-zero targets for aviation has been reached, and fiscal and regulatory policies are being implemented to promote sustainable aviation fuels.
Demand reduction is another critical aspect of curbing aviation emissions. Frequent flyers likely account for half of all aviation emissions, and progressive tax rates on flight frequency and premium tickets could help discourage excessive flying. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that flying less is possible, and behavioural changes, such as choosing more sustainable modes of transport or teleconferencing instead of business travel, can significantly reduce emissions.
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Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases
Aircraft use an incredible amount of fuel, and aviation accounts for 2% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 12% of all CO2 emissions from transportation. CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the exhaust. The emissions from aviation have been growing faster than any other mode of transport, and have more than doubled between 1990 and 2019.
To reduce the environmental impact of aviation, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional jet fuel. SAF is a biofuel that can be produced from non-petroleum-based renewable feedstocks such as biomass, waste resources, and food and yard waste. SAF has the potential to deliver the same performance as conventional jet fuel but with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 94%, depending on the feedstock and technology used. SAF contains fewer aromatic components, which enables it to burn cleaner in aircraft engines, resulting in lower emissions of harmful compounds around airports during take-off and landing. Additionally, aromatics are precursors to contrails, which can have a significant warming effect on the climate.
The development and adoption of SAF present a critical near-term opportunity to reduce aviation emissions and meet the industry's aspirational goal of reaching net-zero carbon by 2050. The U.S. Department of Energy, along with other federal agencies, is working to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up SAF production and reducing emissions from aviation.
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The aviation industry is showcasing fossil-fuel-powered aircraft
The aviation industry's transition to sustainable practices is imperative. While some airlines are exploring clean fuels and alternative power sources, progress is hindered by economic and technological barriers. Sustainable aviation fuel, for instance, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions without requiring extensive aircraft modifications. However, it is currently more expensive than conventional fossil-based aviation fuel.
Aircraft consume an enormous amount of fuel, with a Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet burning 63,000 gallons (240,000 litres) of jet fuel per flight. The efficiency of newer aircraft models is also offset by the increasing number of flights and the associated fuel burn. To meet decarbonization targets, the industry must urgently adopt more sustainable practices.
Initiatives to reduce the climate impact of aviation include Airbus's plans to develop hydrogen planes within 15 years. Hydrogen fuel cells, for instance, do not produce CO2 emissions, although they do generate NOx emissions. Additionally, biofuels and synthetic fuels like "e-jet" offer near-term alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. However, the timeline for industry-wide adoption of these alternatives remains lengthy.
In conclusion, while the aviation industry continues to showcase fossil-fuel-powered aircraft, the imperative to transition to sustainable practices is clear. The sector must address economic and technological challenges to adopt cleaner fuels and power sources, optimize flight plans, and explore innovative aircraft designs to curb its impact on the climate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, airplanes burn fossil fuels. Jet fuel, also known as kerosene, is a fossil-based fuel that powers modern commercial airliners.
Aircraft use a significant amount of fuel, and emissions from aviation are a major contributor to climate change. A single flight can emit as much CO2 as the average person emits in a year. In addition to CO2, the burning of jet fuel releases nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, and other pollutants, which have a warming effect on the climate.
Yes, there are several alternatives being explored and developed. These include sustainable aviation fuel, aviation biofuel, hydrogen fuel cells, and synthetically created fuel ("e-jet"). Some of these alternatives, such as hydrogen fuel, produce little to no CO2 emissions. However, they face political, technological, and economic barriers to widespread adoption.
Several measures can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use in aviation. Airlines can adopt cleaner fuels, such as those with lower aromatics and naphthalene concentrations, which reduce soot formation and contrail cirrus. Additionally, optimizing flight plans to avoid Ice Super Saturated Regions (ISSR) and flying at lower altitudes can help reduce the warming effect of contrails. Improving fuel efficiency in aircraft designs and engines is another important strategy.
