Airlines Unlikely to Play a Big Role Slowing Climate Change: New Report
Photo Credit: Neste is one of the biggest sustainable aviation fuel producers. Neste
Skift Take
In terms of saving the planet, the next best thing to not flying long-haul could be flying on a plane that uses sustainable fuel. Many companies are buying into this now, but it's still early days.
A new report has questioned just how green flying can become, despite the aviation industry appearing to be on track to hit some agreed emission reduction targets over the next few decades.
The study, published by several universities in Nature Communications on Tuesday, also warned that the pandemic’s travel restrictions will only have a temporary effect on aviation’s climate impact, because international flights are seen as critical to kick-starting the global recovery.
However, its authors appear to be supporting the use of sustainable aviation fuels — something many travel agencies, their corporate customers and airlines are backing. Are they the answer?
More Than Carbon Dioxide
Aircraft contribute to climate change by creating carbon dioxide, but there are non-carbon dioxide effects too, the study, "Evaluating the climate impact of aviation emission scenarios towards the Paris agreement including Covid-19 effects," points out.
These include nitrogen oxides, ozone
