Bronte Wells
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces CO2 emissions, alongside non-CO2 emissions, including nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. The aviation industry emits around 1 billion tons of CO2 annually, accounting for approximately 2.4% to 3.5% of global carbon emissions. In addition to the environmental impact, aircraft noise pollution disrupts sleep and education and may pose health risks. Airports also contribute to water pollution through the handling of jet fuel, lubricants, and de-icing chemicals. As air travel becomes more accessible and passenger numbers increase, addressing aviation's environmental footprint becomes crucial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global CO2 emissions from aviation | 2.4% to 3.5% |
| Aviation's contribution to global warming | 5% |
| Increase in emissions from planes between 2013 and 2018 | 32% |
| CO2 emitted per kg of jet fuel | 3.16 kg |
| Percentage of CO2 removed from the atmosphere 30 years after emission | 30% |
| Percentage of CO2 removed from the atmosphere after a few hundred years | 50% |
| Percentage of CO2 that stays in the atmosphere for thousands of years | 20% |
| Water vapor as a percentage of jet fuel exhaust | 30% |
| Aviation's contribution to radiative forcing | 3.5% |
| Number of passenger kilometers traveled in 2019 | 8 trillion |
| Megajoules of energy used per passenger-kilometer in 1990 | 2.9 |
| Megajoules of energy used per passenger-kilometer in 2019 | 1.3 |
| Number of premature deaths caused by air pollution from planes per year | 16,000 |
| Percentage of warming effect of contrails that can be reduced by rerouting less than 2% of flights in Japan | 60% |
| Year by which large electric planes could be available | 2040 |
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What You'll Learn
Aviation's contribution to global warming
Aviation contributes significantly to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as non-CO2 emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. These emissions interact with the atmosphere and have a significant impact on global warming.
The aviation industry is responsible for around 2-2.5% of global CO2 emissions, with most aircraft powered by jet gasoline. This equates to around 1 billion tons of CO2 per year, more than the emissions of most individual countries. When compared to other forms of transport, airplanes emit around 100 times more CO2 per hour than a shared bus or train ride. Even driving, which is often considered a polluting mode of transport, is usually less carbon-intensive than flying when passengers are included.
The impact of aviation on global warming extends beyond its CO2 emissions. Non-CO2 effects, such as the formation of condensation trails (contrails), account for two-thirds of aviation's climate impact. Contrails are clouds of ice that form when soot from engine exhaust mixes with cold, humid air in the atmosphere. These streaks reflect sunlight during the day and trap heat at night, with a similar effect to clouds. Contrails are estimated to be the largest contributor to aviation-related climate change after CO2. Other non-CO2 emissions, such as nitrous oxides, also have the ability to trap additional heat at flight altitudes.
To reduce their climate impact, the aviation industry has adopted the goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This will be achieved through the use of sustainable fuels, carbon offsetting, and the development of low-emission technologies like electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. However, it is recognised that the industry will not be able to completely eliminate emissions, and offsetting mechanisms will be necessary to mitigate the remaining emissions.
In the short term, reducing corporate travel is an effective way to lower aviation emissions. By halving corporate travel compared to pre-COVID levels, Europe could reduce CO2 emissions by 32.6 MtCO2 by 2030, the equivalent of taking 16 million polluting cars off the road. Additionally, the use of cleaner fuels and alternative flight paths can help to reduce the formation of contrails, thereby lowering aviation's climate impact.
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The impact of jet fuel combustion
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. Jet fuel combustion produces CO2, H2O, CO, C, NOx, particles, and organic compounds. The combustion of jet fuel also releases about a million tons of soot nanoparticles annually, which have major health and environmental impacts.
The health effects of jet fuel combustion products vary according to exposure duration, route of administration, and exposure phase. Kerosene-based jet fuels, which have been predominantly used since World War II, contain toxicants such as benzene, n-hexane, toluene, xylenes, and naphthalenes. Exposure to these toxicants can have temporary or persisting biological effects, as evidenced by studies on humans and animals. The health impact of occupational exposures to jet fuels and their combustion products is not yet fully understood, but there is concern about the risks for people living near large airports.
To reduce the environmental and health impacts of jet fuel combustion, researchers are exploring the use of clean fuels and alternative engine designs. For example, bio-based or synthetic fuels can be blended with jet fuel to reduce soot emissions and the formation of persistent contrail cirrus clouds. Additionally, aircraft engine manufacturers are offering diesel engines that can run on jet fuel, which could simplify airport logistics by reducing the number of fuel types required.
While these alternatives show promise, the most effective solution to reducing aviation's climate and health impacts is to fly less. A sustained annual decrease in air traffic, coupled with a transition to more sustainable fuels, is crucial to mitigating aviation's contribution to global warming and air pollution.
Overall, the impact of jet fuel combustion is significant, and addressing this issue through fuel alternatives, engine modifications, and reduced air travel is essential for a more sustainable aviation industry.
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Alternatives to jet fuel
Aviation contributes an estimated 2% to 2.4% of global annual CO2 emissions, with higher figures of around 3% and 5% when other polluting gases are taken into account. Air pollution from planes is responsible for an estimated 16,000 premature deaths per year.
To reduce aviation's climate impact, alternative jet fuels are being explored. These alternatives, often called sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), are derived from renewable sources and can be used by existing planes. SAFs fall into two main categories: biofuels and synthetic electrofuels.
Biofuels
Biofuels are derived from a range of biological sources, including waste oils, agricultural residues, landfill trash, and sugar-based crop alcohols. While biofuels can reduce emissions, they are not without their challenges. For example, the production of biofuels from palm oil can lead to the decimation of rainforests. Additionally, the current production of SAFs is estimated to meet less than 0.1% of global jet fuel consumption due to limited industry commitment and the higher costs associated with SAFs.
Synthetic Electrofuels
Synthetic electrofuels, or e-fuels, are made with carbon captured from the air using direct air capture technology and are powered by renewable electricity. They are highly effective at reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with nearly 100% reduction compared to fossil fuels. However, the process of producing e-fuels is currently expensive and inefficient, and large amounts of renewable energy are required.
Other Alternatives
In addition to SAFs, other alternatives to jet fuel are being explored, such as hydrogen or electric planes, which can help decrease aviation emissions for shorter ranges. However, these options require significant funding to become operational in the mid-2030s.
To reduce emissions in the critical decade before 2030, flying less is currently the most effective solution. Reducing corporate travel and improving fuel efficiency can also play a role in lowering aviation's climate impact.
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the aviation industry, with a reduction in travel demand and negative effects on airline stock prices. The implementation of travel bans and restrictions played a role in curbing the spread of the virus, but they also contributed to economic losses and unemployment within the industry. The pandemic has also highlighted the sensitivity of the airline industry to public health emergencies, similar to the outbreaks of SARS in 2003 and the influenza A virus (H1N1) in 2009.
During the pandemic, countries around the world imposed lockdowns to control the spread of the virus. These lockdowns had a notable impact on environmental pollutants and air quality. In the selected provinces of China, overall concentrations of pollutants such as CO, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 decreased significantly. Similar trends were observed in the USA, with reductions in CO, NO2, and PM2.5 concentrations, while PM10 and SO2 levels increased in selected states. The suspension of industrial and transportation activities during lockdowns is a major contributing factor to the decrease in environmental pollutants.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had lasting economic impacts, triggering record government debt and contributing to rising debt, inflation, and shifts in labour markets and consumer behaviour. Inequality has increased, and remote work and changes in travel patterns have endured. The airline sector was particularly hard hit, with industry-wide losses of $175 billion in 2020.
The pandemic has also brought attention to the influence of air pollution on mortality and morbidity during pandemics. Countries with poor air quality indices have been among the most devastated by COVID-19. Air pollution increases host susceptibility and the virulence of respiratory infections, impacting the current pandemic significantly. The association between climate change, air pollution, and pandemic severity underscores the importance of aggressive policy interventions to reduce air pollutants and mitigate their effects on human health and future pandemics.
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences, affecting the aviation industry, environmental pollutants, economic stability, and public health. The response to the pandemic has led to a decrease in certain environmental pollutants, but the lasting economic and social impacts continue to shape global markets and travel habits.
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Airports' water pollution
Aviation contributes around 2.4% of global CO2 emissions, with other gases and water vapour trails produced by aircraft bringing the industry's contribution to global warming up to around 5%. Air pollution from planes is responsible for an estimated 16,000 premature deaths per year.
Airports also contribute to water pollution. Airports consume substantial amounts of water to maintain their infrastructure and operations, and large volumes of wastewater are generated. This wastewater can negatively impact soil and groundwater due to its high concentration of contaminants. Three forms of water contamination occur at airports: chronic contamination, seasonal contamination associated with de-icing procedures during winter, and accidental pollution.
Runoff waters from aircraft and airport de-icing operations, fuel leaks, spills, and solid and liquid waste treatment and disposal can all impact water quality. Other activities that influence water quality through contaminants in stormwater runoff include major aircraft overhauls that use toxic chemicals, the cleaning and re-chroming of engine parts, and the production of in-flight meals, which contribute grease and detergents to wastewater.
To address these issues, airports like Copenhagen Airport have implemented sustainable water management strategies. They established plants for the collection and treatment of aircraft wash water to protect surface water systems from pollution with heavy metals. The annual volume of water sent for treatment has increased, ensuring better purification and fewer pollutants introduced into the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Planes emit around 1 billion tons of CO2 per year.
Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities. Planes emit around 100 times more CO2 per hour than a shared bus or train ride.
The EU's 2030 target includes outbound aviation emissions. Other jurisdictions are encouraged to follow suit. Zero-emissions aircraft, such as hydrogen or electric planes, are also being developed.
Non-CO2 emissions from planes include nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, water vapour, sulfate aerosols, and contrails.
