By Renewable Energy Focus staff
Currently, air transport accounts for 2 % of global CO2 emissions, but as the volume of global air transport is set to double in the next 15 years and could increase six-fold by 2050, CO2 from aviation is predicted to increase 3% year on year and could increase more than three-fold by 2050.
The industry has self-imposed targets of 1.5% annual improvement in fuel and CO2 efficiency through 2020and grow CO2 neutral from 2020. The aim is to achieve a 50% net reduction in emissions from 2005 by 2050.
However, with such growth predictions, it will be difficult for the industry to achieve its targets without resorting to for example biofuels.
“In freeing itself from this strategic dilemma, there is no route map for the international aviation industry that doesn’t involve biofuels,” says Jürgen Ringbeck, Partner and Air Transport Expert at Booz & Company.
“Even if other levers can bring about further efficiency gains in the short- to medium-term, it is only highly-developed fuels from biomass that have the potential to achieve the long-term ambitiously-framed industry targets.”
However, for biofuels to succeed in the aviation market, Booz & Company says the following is key: Regulatory framework, new types of cooperation, new financing concepts and targeted information for consumers.
“The change requires huge investments, to bring about a quantum leap in the technology and a massive expansion in production. However, the market dynamics needed for this can only develop if the industry and politicians offer targeted and joint support and establish the right incentives,” says Nick Pennell, Partner and Energy Expert at Booz & Company.
