A recent endangerment finding from the EPA confirmed that airborne emissions from lead-based fuels threaten human health and public welfare. How does this long-overdue regulatory action impact flyers and the planet? Lead in Aviation Is an Overlooked Concern The EPA has been researching the public health and environmental impact of lead from aviation for years. … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh: The Aviation Industry: The Largest Remaining Source of Airborne Lead Emissions
Category: aviation
Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis”
The first transatlantic flight powered only by sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) took off from Heathrow airport this week. Airlines are pinning their hopes on SAF to slash emissions as they try to decarbonise flying before new electric and hydrogen-powered options are developed. In an article on The Conversation website, Gareth Dale, Reader in Political Economy, … Continue reading Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis”
What would it take to make aviation green in the EU?
The European Parliament gave the green light on September 13th to new rules that will increase the quantity of sustainable jet fuel in flights departing from EU airports, marking a major step towards reducing emissions from the notoriously carbon-intensive transport mode. At the behest of the Parliament, an EU label outlining the environmental performance of … Continue reading What would it take to make aviation green in the EU?
New discussion note highlights key longer-term role of synthetic aviation fuels in achieving net-zero aviation emissions by 2050
A new Discussion Note from the European Capacity Building Initiative (ecbi), entitled Sustainable Aviation Fuels - The Way Forward: From Biological to Synthetic Fuels, focuses on the key role Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) play in meeting the aviation industry’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. One approach to achieving net-zero emissions would be to cap or … Continue reading New discussion note highlights key longer-term role of synthetic aviation fuels in achieving net-zero aviation emissions by 2050
Greenpeace criticizes the low cost of European flights
Despite the fact that flying produces more greenhouse gases than train journeys, people often opt for the former, Greenpeace says. According to the nonprofit organization Greenpeace, the boom of low-cost flying has led to damaging, potentially irreversible effects on the global climate. Their report is available here. Laura Hülsemann discusses the report in an article … Continue reading Greenpeace criticizes the low cost of European flights
The increased use of biofuel for aviation could create new problems
Growing demand for animal fats biofuels to power Europe’s transport system raises concerns over climate impacts and potential fraud. Andrew Jeong writes on the Washington Post website about a new report from the Brussels-based NGO Transport & Environment. Plan to use pig fat as plane fuel doesn’t fly, study says How many pigs does … Continue reading The increased use of biofuel for aviation could create new problems
European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels
A political agreement on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal was reached April 25th between the European Parliament and the Council. Once in place, the new rules will help decarbonise the aviation sector by requiring fuel suppliers to blend sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with kerosene in increasing amounts from 2025. This measure on its own is projected … Continue reading European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels
Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’?
Spending a few dollars to offset the footprint of your flight may sound too good to be true because it is, climate experts say. JD Shadel explains in an article on the Washington Post website. Do you agree? Airlines want you to buy carbon offsets. Experts say they’re a ‘scam.’ “Book more sustainably” — … Continue reading Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’?
European aviation industry claims bill of €800bn to reach net zero emissions
European aviation faces more than €800bn in extra costs to reach net zero emissions by 2050 to limit climate change, according to industry estimates that highlight the challenge facing the sector as it decarbonises. In this new study, SEO Amsterdam Economics (SEO) and Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) calculate the expenditures necessary to achieve net … Continue reading European aviation industry claims bill of €800bn to reach net zero emissions
Plans for first vertical takeoff and landing pre-commercial taxi service in the world at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Aircraft will take off and land vertically, and carry a single passenger between transport hubs, says the capital’s airports operator. Yes, there are problems getting around Paris at the best of times, but this seems unbelievable. The first test centre has been opened in the suburbs, so it appears we may actually see them next … Continue reading Plans for first vertical takeoff and landing pre-commercial taxi service in the world at the 2024 Paris Olympics
