Meghan Hodges
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces CO2, nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols, which have a warming effect on the climate. While the aviation industry has improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions per passenger, the rapid increase in passenger numbers has led to an overall rise in emissions. The sector is projected to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and without mitigation, emissions could double by 2050. To combat this, the industry is exploring alternative fuels, such as e-kerosene, biofuels, hydrogen, and electrification, while also encouraging reduced corporate travel and individual flying.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global CO2 emissions from aviation | 2.4% |
| Contribution to global warming | 5% |
| CO2 emitted per passenger-kilometer in 1990 | 357 grams |
| CO2 emitted per passenger-kilometer in 2019 | 157 grams |
| CO2 emitted by a return flight from London to San Francisco | 5.5 tonnes |
| CO2 emitted by a return flight from London to Berlin | 0.6 tonnes |
| CO2 emitted by driving alone in a medium-sized petrol car per kilometer | 192 grams |
| CO2 emitted by the UK aviation sector in 2019 | 4.7% of total emissions |
| CO2 emitted by the aviation sector in 2050 (projected) | More than double the emissions in 2019 |
| Number of premature deaths caused by air pollution from planes | 16,000 |
| Percentage of global emissions from aviation in 1990 | 1.5% |
| Percentage of global emissions from aviation in 2019 | 4.7% |
| Reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 achievable by reducing corporate travel to 50% of pre-COVID levels | 32.6 MtCO2 |
| Equivalent number of polluting cars that need to be taken off the road to achieve the above reduction | 16 million |
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What You'll Learn
The aviation industry's emission mitigation efforts
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces CO2, nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols, which have warming effects on the climate. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that aviation-related CO2 emissions endanger public health and welfare, creating a legal requirement for the EPA to establish emissions standards for aircraft.
The aviation industry and various organizations have implemented several initiatives and strategies to mitigate emissions and reduce their environmental impact:
Sustainable Biofuels
The use of sustainable biofuels blended with kerosene jet fuel is one approach to reducing emissions. Biofuels have a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment than conventional jet fuel and also reduce soot content, water vapour, and sulfates in exhaust emissions. However, biofuels currently only represent a tiny fraction of global demand, and there are concerns about the feasibility of producing sufficient quantities without causing deforestation.
Aircraft Design and Technology Improvements
Improvements in aircraft design and technology have contributed to increased energy efficiency. Larger planes with higher 'passenger load factors' mean fewer empty seats, reducing the carbon emitted per passenger. More efficient planes can dampen the growth of emissions, but they cannot eliminate them entirely. The industry will eventually need to transition to alternative fuel sources such as electrification, biofuels, or hydrogen to achieve net-zero emissions.
International Initiatives
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has played a role in addressing aviation emissions. In 2016, ICAO adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which aims to limit carbon emissions from international flights between participating countries for the years 2021-2035. As of 2019, 81 nations have signalled their intent to participate in the first voluntary phase. CORSIA could prevent nearly 2.5 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions over the first 15 years if fully implemented.
National Policies and Standards
In addition to international efforts, individual states have adopted their own policies and measures to regulate emissions from aviation. These include tax and technical standards, traffic management, and infrastructural development. The EPA, for example, has established aviation emissions standards enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration. New aircraft designs certified after January 1, 2020, for commercial jets and January 1, 2023, for business jets, must meet more restrictive efficiency standards.
Flight Planning and Altitude Changes
Altering flight paths to avoid ambient conditions that produce contrails (condensation trails) can reduce the climate impact of aviation. However, routing changes can lead to longer flight durations and increased CO2 emissions. Therefore, a careful balance must be considered between reducing contrail formation and minimizing additional fuel consumption.
The aviation industry recognizes the need to reduce its environmental footprint and is exploring various strategies to mitigate emissions. While progress has been made, the sector continues to face challenges in transitioning to more sustainable practices.
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The effects of a warming planet on aviation
Aviation has a significant impact on global warming and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces CO2, as well as non-CO2 emissions such as nitrogen oxides, soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. These emissions interact with the atmosphere, causing complex climate effects that are challenging to calculate. In 2018, global aviation produced 2.4% of total CO2 emissions, and when non-CO2 effects such as contrails are considered, aviation's climate impact rises to approximately 3.5%.
The aviation industry is taking steps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. More efficient planes, larger aircraft that carry more passengers, and improved 'passenger load factors' have contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions per passenger-kilometre from 357 grams of CO2 in 1990 to 157 grams in 2019. Additionally, new aircraft designs certified after January 1, 2020, for commercial jets and January 1, 2023, for business jets, will be subject to stricter efficiency standards, requiring a 4% reduction in cruise fuel consumption compared to 2015 levels.
However, the increasing demand for air travel threatens to offset these gains. The total annual worldwide passenger count grew from 100 million in 1960 to 4.56 billion in 2019, and the "hypermobility" of air travel is expected to continue growing, particularly in developing nations. As a result, aviation will make up an ever-increasing share of global emissions unless the industry transitions from jet fuel to electrification, biofuels, hydrogen, or a combination of alternative fuels.
To mitigate the impact of aviation on global warming and adapt to the changing climate, the industry must focus on emission reduction targets, sustainable fuel alternatives, and the strengthening of aviation infrastructure. Additionally, individuals, companies, and governments should critically evaluate their air travel choices and prioritize necessary flights to reduce the overall demand for air transport.
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The most polluting types of plane tickets
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces CO2 as well as non-CO2 emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot, water vapour, and sulfate aerosols. These emissions interact with the atmosphere, impacting the climate in various ways and contributing to an overall warming effect. The most effective way to reduce the climate and health impacts of aviation is to simply fly less.
With that in mind, the most polluting types of plane tickets are those that involve long-haul flights. Long-haul flights, particularly those that are medium or long-range, generate the most emissions. The distance travelled in these flights results in higher fuel consumption and, consequently, higher emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. Additionally, flights that require multiple connections or layovers contribute more to pollution as they involve multiple take-offs and landings, which further increase fuel usage and emissions.
Another factor that contributes to the pollution associated with plane tickets is the age of the aircraft. Older aircraft tend to be less fuel-efficient than newer models, which have benefited from improved design and technology. Therefore, flying on older planes can result in higher emissions per passenger.
Furthermore, the type of fuel used by the aircraft can also impact the pollution associated with plane tickets. Jet fuels with high aromatics and naphthalene concentrations increase soot formation and persistent contrails, which have a warming effect on the climate. While the use of biofuels and alternative fuels, such as e-kerosene, is being explored, they currently only represent a tiny fraction of global fuel demand.
To summarise, the most polluting types of plane tickets are those involving long-haul flights, multiple connections, or travel on older aircraft models. Additionally, the type of fuel used, particularly those with high aromatics, contributes to the pollution associated with aviation. While the industry is working towards electrification and the adoption of biofuels, flying less remains the most effective way to reduce aviation's impact on the climate and human health in the near future.
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The environmental impact of jet fuel
CO2 is the largest climate forcing component connected with aviation, and its impact is well-calculated and documented. However, non-CO2 emissions, such as NOx, also have a significant indirect impact on climate change. For a 20-year time horizon, NOx and contrails-cirrus account for the largest share of the climate impact from jet fuel combustion, at 86.5%.
The health effects of jet fuel emissions are also concerning. Airport personnel and residents living close to airports are at risk of exposure to jet engine emissions, which include volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Diesel exhaust, which has similar components to jet engine emissions, is classified as carcinogenic and has been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer. Fine particulate matter and soot from aircraft emissions contribute to air pollution, causing approximately 16,000 premature deaths per year.
To mitigate the environmental impact of jet fuel, several solutions have been proposed and implemented. At the national level, policies such as the French National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC) aim for carbon neutrality by 2050, with increasing incorporation levels of alternative jet fuels. However, the most effective way to reduce the climate and health impacts of aviation is to reduce air traffic. Klöwer and colleagues suggest that a sustained annual decrease in air traffic by 2.5% or a transition to a 90% carbon-neutral fuel mix by 2050 could halt aviation's contribution to climate warming.
While the development of sustainable aviation fuels has gained attention and funding, experts argue that it may not be feasible to create the required amounts while also being a suboptimal use of land. Instead, a portfolio of solutions is needed, including improvements in airframe aerodynamics, aircraft weight, and engine cycle performance. Additionally, zero-emissions aircraft, such as hydrogen or electric planes, have the potential to decrease aviation emissions for shorter ranges but require significant funding to become operational in the mid-2030s.
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The effectiveness of flying less
Aviation is a significant contributor to global climate change and air pollution. The burning of jet fuel produces 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 both warming and cooling effects, with the warming effect being stronger. The aviation industry's emissions are growing faster than any other mode of transport, and they are expected to continue rising as air travel becomes more accessible.
To reduce the climate and health impacts of aviation, the most effective solution is to fly less. This was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a decrease in corporate travel showed that flying for work was not as necessary as previously thought. By reducing corporate travel to 50% of pre-COVID levels, it is estimated that Europe could reduce CO2 emissions by 32.6 MtCO2 by 2030, which is the equivalent of taking 16 million polluting cars off the road.
In addition to reducing the number of flights, other measures can be taken to lower aviation emissions. These include improving aircraft efficiency, using clean fuels, and reducing the number of empty seats on planes. Newer aircraft tend to be more efficient and produce fewer emissions, and larger planes that carry more passengers can also reduce emissions. However, these improvements in efficiency and technology have not been able to keep up with the rapid increase in total passenger numbers, and aviation emissions are still rising.
While sustainable aviation fuels have received attention, experts say that producing enough of these fuels may not be feasible and that they may not be the best use of land. Electrification, biofuels, and hydrogen are potential alternatives to jet fuel, but the industry has been slow to adopt these options. As a result, aviation will continue to contribute an increasing share of global emissions until it can move away from jet fuel.
Overall, the most effective way to reduce aviation emissions in the short term is to fly less. This can be achieved through a combination of individual choices, company policies, and government regulations. By reducing demand and embracing alternative fuels and technologies, the aviation industry can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Planes burn jet fuel, which releases CO2 emissions and has strong warming non-CO2 effects due to nitrogen oxides (NOx), vapour trails, and cloud formation. Aviation is responsible for about 3.5% of effective radiative forcing to date.
Curtailing emissions requires a "portfolio of solutions", but the most effective solution to reducing the climate and health impacts of aviation is to fly less. By reducing corporate travel to 50% of pre-COVID levels, we can cut CO2 emissions by as much as 32.6 MtCO2 by 2030 in Europe.
Milena Buchs, an expert in sustainability, economics and low-carbon transitions, says that trains and coaches are the lowest carbon means of travel, much lower than flying and cars. Even driving with someone else is usually less carbon-intensive than flying.
To reduce non-CO2 effects, airplanes can use clean fuels to decrease the amount of pollutants released into the air. Zero-emissions aircraft, such as hydrogen or electric planes, can also help decrease aviation emissions for shorter ranges.
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