Regan Brown
The airline industry's fuel usage significantly contributes to global warming and climate change. In 2019, the airline industry consumed 359 billion litres of jet fuel, and while aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, its overall contribution to climate change is higher. Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, and while CO2 gets most of the attention, two-thirds of the warming effect comes from non-CO2 emissions. These include nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. The most effective solution to reducing the climate and health impacts of aviation would be to fly less, and airlines are incentivized to lower their fuel consumption to reduce their environmental footprint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Share of global CO2 emissions | 2.5% |
| Impact on warming | 4% |
| Jet fuel usage in 2019 | 359 billion liters |
| Jet fuel usage in 2020 | 45.4% drop due to the pandemic |
| Jet fuel usage in 2021 | 39.5% below 2019 levels |
| Jet fuel usage in 2022 | 25.9% below pre-pandemic levels |
| Fuel efficiency improvement since 1990 | More than halved |
| CO2 emissions per revenue ton-kilometer (RTK) in 2018 | 47% of 1990 levels |
| CO2 emissions in 2018 | 747 million tonnes |
| CO2 emissions per passenger per km in 2018 | 88 grams |
| Fuel efficiency improvement between 1967 and 2007 | 70% |
| Fuel burn reduction from 1968 to 2014 | 45% |
| Global jet fuel consumption | 90 billion gallons |
| Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage by IAG SA | 0.66% |
| SAF usage goal by IAG SA by 2030 | 10% |
| Projected warming by 2050 | 0.1° Celsius |
| Fuel efficiency improvement goal by ICAO | 2% annually |
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What You'll Learn
Aviation's contribution to global warming
Aviation contributes significantly to global warming and climate change. While the sector accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, its overall contribution to climate change is higher when considering other greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, which have both global and local environmental impacts.
The burning of jet fuel emits carbon dioxide (CO2), the most well-understood greenhouse gas, as well as nitrogen oxides, water vapour, soot, and sulfate aerosols. These non-CO2 emissions interact with the atmosphere and contribute to climate change in complex ways. Water vapour from aircraft exhausts, known as contrails, is the largest contributor to aviation-related climate change after CO2. Contrails have a short-term warming effect but a long-term cooling impact, along with a decrease in ozone and methane emissions. However, the overall warming effect of aviation is stronger than the cooling effect.
The radiative forcing of aviation, which measures the difference between incoming and outgoing energy, is estimated to be higher than that of CO2 alone. This indicates that aviation has a more significant impact on warming than just its CO2 emissions suggest. Aviation's contribution to global warming is projected to cause a temperature increase of about 0.1° Celsius (0.2° Fahrenheit) by 2050 if the industry continues to grow at pre-pandemic rates.
To reduce aviation's impact on global warming, a transition to more sustainable fuels and aircraft technology is necessary. While jet airliners have become more fuel-efficient over the years, the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy has remained unchanged. The adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), such as biofuels, electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft, is crucial for reducing emissions. Leading airlines and airports are already moving towards offtake agreements with fuel suppliers to increase the use of SAFs. Additionally, individuals, companies, and governments can play a role by re-evaluating their air travel choices and prioritising necessary flights.
While aviation faces challenges in decarbonisation, there are ongoing efforts and incentives to promote the adoption of sustainable practices. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its member states have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating a commitment to mitigating aviation's impact on global warming.
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Jet fuel emissions
The amount of jet fuel burned is directly related to the flight distance, with longer routes requiring more fuel. However, shorter routes can be less efficient in terms of fuel consumption per kilometre due to the higher fuel burn rates during takeoff and landing. Aircraft ground and low-altitude operations, including taxiing, takeoff, initial climb, and landing, contribute about 10% of total emissions. These operations have an additional impact on local air quality due to the release of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot particulates.
The chemical composition of jet fuel, particularly the level of aromatics, influences the formation of contrails, which are another significant factor in aviation's climate impact. Contrails, or condensation trails, are long cloudy strips that form when moisture in ice-saturated air freezes around soot particles emitted from burning jet fuel. They can trap heat radiating from the Earth's surface, contributing to the warming effect.
To reduce the environmental impact of jet fuel emissions, improvements in energy efficiency and the development of sustainable alternative fuels are crucial. The use of biofuels, hydrogen, and electrification are potential solutions to decrease jet fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, optimizing flight trajectories and reducing the aromatic content of jet fuel can help mitigate the formation of contrails and their associated climate effects.
While the aviation industry has made progress in improving energy efficiency, it still accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and its overall contribution to climate change is higher when considering the impact of non-CO2 emissions. The transition to more sustainable fuels and technologies is essential to reducing the industry's environmental footprint and mitigating its impact on global warming.
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Sustainable aviation fuels
Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but its overall contribution to climate change is higher. Aircraft emit other gases and pollutants, including water vapour, soot, sulfur aerosols, and water contrails, which have a warming effect on the atmosphere.
To reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry, a transition from jet fuel to more sustainable alternatives is necessary. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are biofuels that can be produced from a variety of biomass resources, such as corn stover, bioenergy crops, and waste carbon monoxide. SAF offers multiple benefits, including engine and infrastructure compatibility, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and flexibility in feedstock and production technology. SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel or used in its pure form, providing a direct replacement for jet fuel.
The production of SAF involves breaking down biomass and waste resources through physical, biological, and chemical reactions to create energy-dense hydrocarbons. This process can be achieved through various technology pathways, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids, as well as the alcohol-to-jet pathway using ethanol feedstock. ASTM and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have established fuel quality standards and specifications for the use of SAF in aviation.
The expansion of SAF production brings economic and environmental advantages. It can create new employment opportunities, improve soil quality, and reduce nutrient losses for farmers. Additionally, SAF has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with estimates of up to a 94% reduction compared to conventional jet fuel.
The aviation industry has set ambitious goals for reducing its climate impact. By improving fuel efficiency, ensuring carbon-neutral growth, and transitioning to low-carbon fuels, the industry aims to achieve net-zero emissions. While efficient planes can help curb emissions growth, the shift to sustainable fuels is crucial to achieving long-term emission reduction targets.
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Electrifying short-range flights
Aviation accounts for approximately 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, with its overall contribution to climate change being higher. Aircraft operations at ground level and low altitudes produce emissions that negatively impact local air quality, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, and soot particulates. Additionally, the release of water vapour at high altitudes significantly increases aviation's warming impact, contributing to at least 3.5% of global warming.
To reduce aviation's carbon footprint, the industry must transition from jet fuel to more sustainable alternatives such as electrification, biofuels, or hydrogen. Electrifying short-range flights is a crucial step towards this goal. Electric aircraft have zero emissions, making them ideal for short-hop commuter flights and contributing to cleaner air in polluted regions.
While battery technology has improved significantly, current batteries are inadequate for electrifying most passenger aviation. However, companies like Wright Electric are working on retrofitting larger aircraft with electric engines, with an estimated range of 460 miles. This range could replace 33% of all domestic flights in the contiguous US, saving approximately 698,000 metric tons of CO2.
To electrify wider aircraft and longer-range flights, advancements in battery chemistry and energy density are necessary. Solid-state batteries and lithium-air batteries show promise for more competitive battery-electric aircraft performance. The adoption of electric aircraft for short-range flights is a crucial step towards reducing aviation's climate impact and achieving net-zero emissions goals.
Additionally, electric aircraft offer lower operating costs and reduced noise levels compared to traditional jet fuel planes. With ongoing improvements in battery technology and increasing demand for sustainable aviation, electrifying short-range flights is a viable strategy to mitigate the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
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Airline industry's environmental footprint
The airline industry has a significant environmental footprint, contributing to both global climate change and air pollution. Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but its overall contribution to climate change is higher when considering other factors such as the release of water vapour at high altitudes, which increases its warming impact.
Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, which has raised environmental concerns over their global and local impacts. In addition to emitting CO2, planes also affect the concentration of other atmospheric gases and pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, water vapour, soot, and sulfate aerosols. These emissions occur primarily during taxiing, takeoff, initial climb, and landing, with 90% of emissions occurring above 3,000 feet.
The airline industry's fuel consumption is a direct indicator of its CO2 emissions. Worldwide, the industry used 359 billion litres of jet fuel in 2019, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). While fuel efficiency has improved, with jet airliners becoming 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007, the amount of carbon emitted per unit of energy has remained unchanged. As a result, overall emissions have risen with the increasing volume of air travel.
To reduce their environmental footprint, airlines have an incentive to lower fuel consumption, as it accounts for a large share of their costs. Newer aircraft models from Boeing, Airbus, and other manufacturers have improved fuel efficiency, with some meeting or exceeding carbon emission standards. However, the industry recognizes the need to transition from jet fuel to more sustainable alternatives, such as electrification, biofuels, or hydrogen.
Some solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the airline industry include improving fuel efficiency, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), electrifying short-range flights, implementing tax incentives or disincentives, and curbing demand through behavioural changes, such as opting for high-speed train connections or teleconferencing instead of flying.
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Frequently asked questions
Airline fuel contributes significantly to the environment, with the aviation industry accounting for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions.
Non-CO2 emissions from airline fuel include nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. These emissions have both warming and cooling effects on the atmosphere.
Airlines have a strong incentive to lower fuel consumption as it accounts for a large share of their costs. They can adopt new aircraft models that are more fuel-efficient, utilise sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and electrify short-range flights with renewable energy sources.
The EPA has set CO2 emission standards for US aircraft under the Clean Air Act, and the ICAO has established carbon emission standards that match or exceed these requirements. Aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus have already met these standards, with new aircraft estimated to outperform them by around 10%.
The most effective solution is to fly less, as aviation demand is a major driver of emissions. Additionally, transitioning to a carbon-neutral fuel mix, such as biofuels, electric, or hydrogen power, can significantly reduce the climate impact of the aviation industry.
