Katerina Swanson
Air travel has become an integral part of modern life, with a rapid increase in the number of passengers travelling by air. In 1960, only 100 million passengers travelled by air, while by 2019, the annual worldwide passenger count had soared to 4.56 billion. This hypermobility has had a significant impact on the environment, with aviation contributing to climate change through the release of fossil fuel emissions. Fossil jet fuel emissions, such as kerosene, have been linked to an increase in global warming, with CO2 accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft exhaust. While steps are being taken to reduce carbon pollution, such as improving fuel efficiency and exploring alternative fuels like biofuel and synthetic fuel, the adoption of more sustainable practices in the aviation industry is still limited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate impact | CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the exhaust |
| Non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion, such as nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), also have a significant impact on climate change | |
| The inclusion of non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion results in an increased climate impact | |
| Emissions from flights contribute to warming the planet for centuries | |
| The aviation industry's emission mitigation efforts include improving fuel efficiency and ensuring carbon-neutral growth | |
| Fuel consumption | Worldwide airline industry jet fuel usage was 359 billion liters (95 billion gallons) in 2019 |
| Alternative fuels | Sustainable aviation fuel and blends of fossil and sustainably-sourced alternative fuels yield lower emissions of particles and greenhouse gases |
| Hydrogen fuel cells do not produce CO2 or other emissions, but hydrogen combustion produces NOx emissions and has volumetric disadvantages relative to hydrocarbon fuels | |
| Aviation biofuel and synthetically created fuel ("e-jet") are alternatives available in the near term |
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What You'll Learn
- Fossil jet fuel emissions have a strong impact on climate change
- CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions
- Fossil jet fuel combustion also releases non-CO2 climate forcers
- Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and GHGs
- Fossil-based aviation fuels are more expensive than conventional alternatives
Fossil jet fuel emissions have a strong impact on climate change
The combustion of fossil jet fuel has a significant impact on climate change. The aviation industry's contribution to global warming is well-documented and calculated, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being the most significant climate forcing component connected to air travel. The burning of jet fuel (kerosene) emits various gases and particulates, with CO2 accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft exhaust. The impact of these emissions is heightened at high altitudes, where most aviation emissions occur during the cruise phase.
While the aviation sector's climate impact is not as substantial as that of automobile use, electricity production, or the industrial and agricultural sectors, its rapid growth and increasing fuel consumption are concerning. Air traffic has increased by about 60% between 2011 and 2019, leading to a corresponding rise in climate forcers from aviation. The number of annual worldwide passengers in aviation has skyrocketed from 100 million in 1960 to 4.56 billion in 2019, and this "hypermobility" of air travel is only expected to grow further.
In addition to CO2, other climate forcers such as nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and soot play a significant indirect role in aviation's climate impact. These emissions can trigger the formation of contrails-cirrus, which contribute to the warming effect. However, it is important to note that current assessments of aviation's climate impact often overlook these non-CO2 emissions, leading to an underestimation of the industry's true impact on global warming.
To address the issue, organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have set aspirational goals for reducing the climate impact of international aviation. These include improving fuel efficiency by 2% annually through 2050 and ensuring carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards. While some airlines are making efforts to improve their fleet efficiency, the industry as a whole must accelerate its transition to renewable energy sources and reduce its reliance on fossil jet fuels to meet global climate targets.
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CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions
Aircraft emissions are a significant contributor to global warming and climate change. Among the various gases and particulates emitted by burning jet fuel (kerosene), carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest component, accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft exhaust. The impact of CO2 on climate change is well-established and documented, with aviation being one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize.
The climate impact of jet aircraft emissions is complex, as it involves emissions at different altitudes, from the surface up to cruise altitudes as high as 43,000 feet. The majority of climate forcers due to aviation are located at high altitudes, and the combustion of jet fuel releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases, such as nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), which have a significant indirect impact on climate change.
CO2 emissions from aviation have been increasing over time due to growing demand and technological improvements. Between 1990 and 2019, both passenger and freight demand in the aviation industry quadrupled, resulting in a corresponding increase in CO2 emissions. From 1990 to 2018, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from domestic commercial flights grew by about 18%, and global aircraft carbon dioxide emissions increased by about 40% during the same period.
The aviation industry has recognized the need to address its contribution to climate change. Organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have developed policies and standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on improving aircraft technology, operations, infrastructure, and the use of aviation biofuels. The industry has set goals for reducing the climate impact of international aviation, including improving fuel efficiency and ensuring carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards.
While the aviation industry works towards mitigating its environmental impact, it is important to consider the role of other sectors in reducing global carbon emissions. The transportation sector, including aviation, road transport, and shipping, contributes significantly to global warming. Additionally, the production of electricity, as well as the industrial and agricultural sectors, have a more significant impact on climate change than commercial aviation.
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Fossil jet fuel combustion also releases non-CO2 climate forcers
The combustion of fossil jet fuel releases non-CO2 climate forcers, which have a significant impact on climate change. While carbon dioxide (CO2) is the largest climate forcing component connected with aviation, accounting for approximately 70% of aircraft emissions, non-CO2 climate forcers also play a crucial role in the overall climate impact.
Non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion include emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfate ions (SO42−), carbon monoxide (CO), soot, aerosol particles, water vapour, and contrails-cirrus effect. These emissions have both direct and indirect impacts on the climate. For example, soot and water vapour emissions can trigger the formation of contrails-cirrus, which can have a warming or cooling effect on the climate.
The impact of non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion is particularly significant within a 20-year time horizon, where NOx and contrails-cirrus account for the largest share of the climate impact, at 86.5%. This is due to the relatively short lifetimes of these climate forcers, which have a more immediate effect on the climate compared to CO2, which has a longer-term impact.
The inclusion of non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion results in an overall increase in the climate impact of aviation. This impact has been growing as air traffic has increased by about 60% between 2011 and 2019, leading to a strong influence on climate change. While the Kyoto Protocol does not consider nitrogen oxides as greenhouse gases, they still have a significant indirect impact on the climate.
To address the issue of non-CO2 climate forcers from jet fuel combustion, the aviation industry must focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This includes improving fuel efficiency, transitioning to more sustainable fuels, and implementing measures to reduce the formation of contrails and other climate-forcing particles. By combining technological advancements, operational improvements, and infrastructure developments, the industry can work towards carbon-neutral growth and mitigate the impact of non-CO2 climate forcers on the environment.
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Sustainable aviation fuel yields lower emissions of particles and GHGs
Aviation is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. Worldwide, 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 use of fossil jet fuel by aircraft also releases other harmful compounds such as nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), which have a significant indirect impact on climate change.
As a result, the aviation industry is facing increasing demands for carbon reduction. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation. SAF is similar to traditional kerosene-based aviation fuel but has significantly lower carbon emissions. SAF can be produced from renewable biomass and waste resources, including food and yard waste, woody biomass, fats, greases, oils, and carbon-rich waste gases. SAF made from these sources can deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint. SAF contains fewer aromatic components, which enables it to burn cleaner in aircraft engines, resulting in lower local emissions of harmful compounds around airports during take-off and landing.
The application of SAF as an alternative fuel is currently limited due to a lack of awareness among countries and the absence of relevant regulations. However, SAF presents the best near-term opportunity to meet the aviation industry's goal of net-zero carbon by 2050. The U.S. Department of Energy is working with other federal government agencies to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up new technologies to produce SAF on a commercial scale. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, announced in 2021, aims to expand domestic consumption to 3 billion gallons in 2030 and 35 billion gallons in 2050 while achieving at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
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Fossil-based aviation fuels are more expensive than conventional alternatives
The use of fossil fuels in aviation has come under increasing scrutiny due to its environmental impact. The aviation industry is exploring alternative fuels to reduce its carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one such alternative that has gained prominence in recent years. SAF is produced from non-petroleum feedstocks, including biomass, municipal solid waste, and renewable sources such as fats, oils, and greases. While SAF offers a promising solution, one of the challenges associated with its adoption is the cost.
SAF has been found to be more expensive than conventional fossil-based aviation fuels. Biofuels, a type of SAF, are currently priced at 1.5 to 2 times the cost of fossil-based jet fuel or kerosene. This price difference poses a significant hurdle to the widespread adoption of SAF in the aviation industry. The higher cost of biofuels can be attributed to various factors, including the price of raw materials, production processes, and the integration of new technologies at existing infrastructure.
The challenge lies in making SAF economically viable without passing the entire cost burden on to airline customers, as this may lead to a decrease in air travel demand. According to Paul Mannes, director of aviation at Total, incorporating biofuels into aircraft fuel increases ticket prices. For example, a round trip from Paris to New York with an aircraft using 1% biofuel would result in a $5 increase in ticket price. This price increase becomes more significant with higher percentages of biofuel blend, reaching $50 for a 10% blend.
To address this challenge, governments and industries are collaborating to develop strategies and incentives to promote the use of SAF. The French government, for instance, is working with companies such as Total, Airbus, and Safran to support the development of the SAF industry. Additionally, policies and regulations are being implemented to encourage the incorporation of SAF in aviation fuel. The French projet de loi de finance includes a mandate to use 1% biofuels in 2022, 2% in 2025, and 5% by 2030, demonstrating a gradual approach to increasing the adoption of SAF.
While fossil-based aviation fuels are currently more cost-effective, the aviation industry recognizes the importance of transitioning to sustainable alternatives. The development and optimization of SAF production processes, along with increasing demand and market availability, are expected to drive down costs over time. Additionally, advancements in technology and the exploration of various feedstocks and production pathways will contribute to making SAF a more economically viable option in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, planes do release fossil fuels. Fossil jet fuel is burned and emitted into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
There are several alternatives to fossil-based aviation fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel, aviation biofuel, and synthetic fuels like e-jet and hydrogen fuel. However, these alternatives face political, technological, and economic barriers to widespread adoption.
Emissions from planes, particularly the combustion of fossil jet fuel, contribute to climate change by releasing various gases and particulates into the atmosphere. CO2 is the largest component of aircraft emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the exhaust. These emissions trigger chemical reactions and atmospheric effects that heat the planet.
To reduce the climate impact of air travel, individuals can choose to fly less frequently, opt for direct flights, and select airlines with efficient fleets and high seat utilization. Carbon offsetting programs can also be considered, but they have limitations and potential ethical concerns.
Alternative fuels for aviation, such as sustainable aviation fuel and biofuels, face challenges in terms of cost, infrastructure, and feedstock availability. For example, biofuel production would need to increase significantly, potentially impacting land use and competing with food crops. Additionally, there are technological barriers to adopting certain alternative fuels, such as hydrogen fuel, due to the weight and volume of the required fuel tanks.
