Environmental Impact of Aviation Case

UK AVIATION COMMITS TO NET ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS BY

2050

Case synopsis

Members of the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition have united behind a

commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. At an event with
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP in Central London, aviation industry
executives will sign a pledge committing to cut carbon emissions to zero by
2050.

This is based on a thorough review of the opportunities to cut aviation

Road-Map: A

exactly where reductions can come from, including through smarter flight
operations, new aircraft and engine technology, modernising UK airspace,
the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and high-quality market-based policy
measures. With these actions, the UK will be able to grow passenger numbers
by 70% - in line with current projections - whilst reducing net emissions from 30
million tonnes of CO2 per year today down to zero.

Fig. 1. UK aviation commits to Net Zero Carbon (source:

https://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2019/10/11/british-airways-owner-iag-
commits-to-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050.html)

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 -
alongside the Decarbonisation Road Map, which identifies the specific role
that sustainable aviation fuels could play in meeting this commitment. It
forecasts that the UK could become a world leader in developing sustainable

by 2050.

Neil
and pressing issue for people, businesses and governments across the world.
We know aviation emissions will increase if decisive action is not taken, and
y commits to achieving net zero carbon emissions
by 2050, through an international approach, working with governments
around the world and through the UN.

technologies of the future, including sustainable aviation fuels and electric

flight, creating highly-skilled and well-paid jobs in the process, and we look
forward to working in partnership with Ministers to help realise these

Rt. Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, said:
against climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the modern
y is a huge step forward in

carbon emissions, and with the help of new technologies, renewable fuels
and our continued international co-operation through the UN agency, the
Interna

Case discussion
Aviation is leading the way with efforts to improve its environmental
performance. It was one of the first industries to have ambitious global goals
and a strategy for reducing its impact on climate change. The aviation
industry is prioritizing fuel efficiency through technology, operations and
infrastructure to reduce its impact on climate change. However, a changing
climate has also impacted flights and on-ground operations at airports in
recent years and will continue to do so.

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Like every area of human activity, air transport has an impact on the
environment. This takes several forms, but a major concern is greenhouse gas
emissions and their impact on climate change.

This commitment is based on a thorough review of the opportunities to cut

aviation carbon emissions. This includes smarter flight operations, new
technology, the use of sustainable fuels and significant investment in carbon
offset and removal. Delivering against this commitment will require a
partnership approach with Government to ensure the opportunities to cut
emissions are realized.

This needs to be addressed through an international rather than national

approach which can lead to competitive distortion and carbon leakage.

Case solution

Airlines and airports are reducing, reusing, and recycling waste from their
flight and ground operations to improve their environmental footprint. And
when an aircraft retires after around 20-25 years in service, an estimated 85%
to 95% of its weight can be recycled to ensure proper disposal and also take
advantage of the many high-quality components it is made from.
Aircraft and engine manufacturers around the world are showing leadership
to improve the sustainability of their factories, both in terms of production and
waste management. Like many industries, the emissions from aircraft and
other activities at airports can have an effect on the local air quality. Thanks
to technical developments, new aircraft emit 50% less carbon monoxide and
90% less smoke than those made 50 years ago.

Road-Map analysis shows that through the introduction of known and new,
more efficient aircraft (saving 23.5 MtCO2/yr by 2050), better air traffic
management and operating procedures (saving 3.1 MtCO2/yr), the use of
sustainable aviation fuels (saving 14.4 MtCO2/yr) and the global deployment
of effective Market Based Measures (saving 25.8 MtCO2/yr), aviation can cut
emissions to net zero. A further 4.3 MtCO2/yr is saved due to the carbon
pricing impact on demand resulting from the use of global Market Based
Measures.

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References
1. Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders. Available at:

https://aviationbenefits.org/newswire/2020/02/uk-aviation-commits-to-
net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050/
2. UK aviation commits to net zero carbon emissions. Available at:

https://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/news/uk-aviation-commits-to-
net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050/
3. UK aviation commits to Net Zero Carbon. Available at:

https://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2019/10/11/british-airways-
owner-iag-commits-to-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050.html

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