by Jim Harris Credit: Jane Widdowson/Airbus With the worst of the pandemic downturn hopefully in the rearview mirror, commercial aviation must now move on to face its greatest challenge yet: How to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Governments are making commitments to incentivize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—Europe, through February’s “Toulouse Declaration,” and the U.S., with
Our Commitment to Fly Net Zero by 2050
Fly Net Zero is the commitment of airlines to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. At the 77th IATA Annual General Meeting in Boston, USA, on 4 October 2021, a resolution was passed by IATA member airlines committing them to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. This pledge brings air transport
Biden Outlines a Plan for Cleaner Jet Fuel. But How Clean Would It Be?
Some biofuels may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in ways that can significantly reduce, and sometimes offset, their advantages over fossil fuels, studies have shown. The deal between the Biden administration and the airline industry is meant to drive down flying’s environmental toll.Credit…Ted S. Warren/Associated Press By Hiroko Tabuchi At first glance, it’s a big step
Green air travel is still decades away. Here’s why
Airplane manufacturers are making big moves to decarbonize — but is it too little too late? Jennifer Van Evra “The airline sector doesn’t have a plan to date,” says Andrew Murphy, aviation director of Transport and Environment, “and it’s kind of scrambling to come up with one.” (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) What On Earth27:01Up in the
How a 1940s treaty set airlines on a path to high emissions and low regulation
Before the pandemic, aviation was on course to be the UK’s most polluting sector and produce as much as 22% of global emissions by 2050. The industry is suffering from low demand due to coronavirus restrictions, but without meaningful policy changes, flight numbers and emissions are expected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2024. When accounting for emissions, aviation is
There Is No Sustainable Way to Fly
Despite what airlines promise, carbon offsets and sustainable fuels won’t negate the heavy environmental cost of air travel. by Jake Bittle This article originally appeared on VICE US. Last month, just weeks after climate activist Greta Thunberg was named Time’s Person of the Year, JetBlue announced that it would go carbon neutral on all its
Airlines want you to think they’re serious about the climate crisis. They’re not
An offer to plant trees to offset carbon emissions isn’t a solution – it’s a licence to continue with business as usual @wakmax ‘Those dressing up a process that (at best) aims to remove, years from now, carbon emitted today as a climate solution either don’t understand the science, or don’t want you to.’ Photograph:
Colin Murphy
Dr. Murphy is one of the leading researchers in the implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuels. He is a key voice in discussions of legislating carbon standards in California. His blog on sustainable environmental energy practices is well worth reading: https://nextgenpolicy.org/blog/author/cmurphy/ cwmurphy@ucdavis.edu 530-754-1812 Colin Murphy is the Deputy Director of the Policy Institute, where he helps