Agence France-PresseMar 01, 2021 11:18:00 IST
Airbus on Friday unveiled the carbon footprint of its aircraft, a move that will help measure the progress the aviation industry has made toward its goal of reducing emissions. This is the first time an aircraft manufacturer has released long-range carbon emissions from its aircraft, and Airbus Executive VP Corporate Affairs Julie Kitcher said it was an opportunity to increase clarity in the sector. “We really want to encourage our commitment to leading the disarmament of the region,” she said.
The industry currently represents 2 percent of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Civil Aviation Agency, but an increase in passenger air traffic is expected to mean it could add more pollution the skies if no action is taken quickly.
And between the “flygskam” movement, Swedish neologism meaning “flying shame”, to growing social responsibility expectations among investors, the industry is under great pressure to meet its promise to spread its carbon emissions and a half from 2005 levels by 2050.
Airbus estimated that the 863 aircraft it delivered in 2019 will emit 740 million tonnes of CO2 over an estimated 22 years in service. As a point of comparison, France is estimated to have emitted 441 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019.
Production image. Reuters
Airbus used the emissions accounting measure used by most major companies, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, including the use of its products by consumers. However, Airbus said the efficiency of its planes is improving.
It estimated that the planes delivered in 2019 will produce an average output of 66.6 grams of CO2 per passenger per kilometer. In 2020, that figure dropped to 63.5 grams per passenger kilometer.
The fleet of conventional commercial aircraft, including old planes, is expected to deliver an average of 90 grams per passenger kilometer, according to the NGO International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT).
He estimates that cars emit an average of 122 grams per kilometer, but that figures need to be divided by the number of passengers in the vehicle to offer a true comparison.
‘Snapshot’
While the information is useful, Kitcher Airbus pointed out that it only offers a picture of the situation today.
That’s because the industry hopes to develop sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) made from renewable sources to reduce their emissions.
Expected carbon dioxide emission levels would fall if the planes delivered by Airbus in 2019 are proven to take up to 50 per cent SAF, although the amount of green fuel to get today is very low. “If 50 percent of SAF went into our planes today we could reduce the emissions of our already flying planes by 40 percent,” Kitcher said. per cent SAF, use of hydrogen extracted in a renewable manner, or flights with a battery to further discharge emissions.
But to meet the 2050 targets, as well as moving towards zero emissions, we need a fleet of planes that are 90 percent more efficient than those in 2005 with the expected increase in air travel. Last year Airbus released three hydrogen-powered zero-emission concept planes that they said could enter service by 2035.
The aviation industry also counts on improved air traffic control and efficiency gains from engines to reduce CO2 emissions.