The aviation industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 3% of the total. As the world's population expands, so does the aviation industry's carbon footprint. The technological advancements in aircraft propulsion are crucial for reducing these emissions. Among the promising avenues for sustainable aviation, three key technologies stand out:
Electric Aircraft
Hydrogen Fuel
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Electric aircraft hold immense potential, but battery technology remains a major obstacle. The weight of lithium batteries themselves poses a challenge. Equipping an aircraft with sufficient battery power to extend its range could significantly increase the aircraft's weight, compromising its flight efficiency. Additionally, lithium batteries raise safety concerns, as they may overheat and potentially ignite during flight. Consequently, pure electric propulsion for aircraft remains technologically immature in the short term. A more viable option for the near future lies in hybrid-electric aircraft.
Hydrogen fuel and electric aircraft are still in the early stages of research and development. Therefore, SAF offers airlines an immediate and effective means of reducing carbon emissions. It is considered a critical component in achieving net-zero emissions within the aviation industry.
SAF is an eco-friendly fuel designed to replace petroleum-based jet fuel. Its raw materials can be sourced from a variety of sources, including trees, grasses, non-palm waste oils from animal or plant sources, and solid waste from households and businesses, such as packaging, paper, textiles, and food waste. Chemically, SAF closely resembles traditional fossil fuels, but it offers a significant environmental advantage. Over its entire life cycle, SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. Moreover, it can be blended with traditional jet fuel for use in existing aircraft.
Despite its promise, SAF production remains limited, catering to less than 0.1% of the aviation industry's annual demand. Consequently, SAF costs considerably more than traditional kerosene, typically two to five times higher.
This cost differential poses a challenge for airlines, who may need to pass it on to consumers. For example: the Lufthansa's rewards mechanism. This system provides incentives for consumers to contribute to the cost of SAF. Options include customized green seats and electronic reward badges that can be displayed on smartphones. These rewards allow passengers to demonstrate their support for climate action and highlight their contribution to reducing emissions from air travel. Lufthansa believes that this rewards mechanism will encourage consumers to participate in mitigating the environmental impact of flying.
At the current stage, the continued development of SAF is the main goal of major international airlines.
Additional information: What is the difference between SAF and Biofuel?
SAF and biofuel are both fuels made from renewable feedstocks, but they differ in terms of their definitions, feedstocks, production technologies, and carbon emissions. Sustainable aviation fuel is defined as a fuel that meets the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Sustainability Standard (SAF-SS) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This standard requires that SAF feedstocks be renewable, non-food-competitive, and have no negative environmental impacts. Biofuel, on the other hand, does not have a clear definition, and is typically used to refer to fuels made from biological feedstocks, including palm oil and soybean oil.
