Discover CleanTech
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Sustainable Travel
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Aviation
How zero emission technologies are taking flight Modern air travel has expanded the world and its possibilities – but, it has come at a cost. Before the pandemic, the global aviation industry accounted for about two to three per cent of man-made CO2 emissions; fortunately, industry leaders are hard at work to reduce emissions. Aviation specialist Helen Massy-Beresford investigates the possible future of zero emission flight. BY HELEN MASSY-BERESFORD
GKN is aiming to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could eventually be scaled up to larger planes. Photo: GKN
After two years of unprecedented crisis, the aviation sector is enjoying its recovery: holidaymakers and business travellers alike are ready to get back in the air and bookings are increasing. But it’s not quite back to business as usual. Those long months of empty airports and silent skies focused minds like never before on the sector’s next big challenge. 24 |
Issue 03 |
June 2022
Cutting carbon dioxide emissions is now a major priority for airlines, airports and manufacturers around the world. “Decarbonising aviation is the challenge of a generation, but we know it can and must be done,” said Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet on 19 May, as the low-cost carrier set out a new interim target of cutting its
carbon dioxide emissions by 35 per cent from 2020 levels by 2035. Last year, the global airline industry agreed on an ambitious target: net zero by 2050. In Europe, reducing the environmental footprint of aviation, and the broader transportation sector, is a key part of the European Union’s long-term climate goals.