The aviation sector is a major contributor to global warming and needs to be decarbonised to meet international climate goals. As demand is expected to grow, especially in developed countries, additional measures are needed in the aviation sector. Sustainable aviation fuels are a promising option for reducing emissions. However, the production of these fuels is associated with negative environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss due to monocultures, food insecurity due to competition with food crops, land-use change and deforestation.
Sustainability of new aviation fuels
The aviation sector is a major contributor to global warming and needs to be decarbonised to meet international climate goals. As demand is expected to grow, especially in developed countries, additional measures are needed in the aviation sector. Sustainable aviation fuels are a promising option for reducing emissions. However, the production of these fuels is associated with negative environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss due to monocultures, food insecurity due to competition with food crops, land-use change and deforestation.
Nº 67
- Climate & Atmosphere
- Transport Emission Reduction
- Promotion of Biofuels
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
None
Sustainability of new aviation fuels
Various alternative bio-aviation technologies have been proposed, but their practicality varies. Many of these technologies have significant drawbacks, including high demand for natural resources. For example, palm oil is often considered as a potential source of bio-aviation fuel due to its cost effectiveness. However, palm oil production is notorious for its negative environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and biodiversity loss in Malaysia and Indonesia, where monoculture plantations are prevalent. To be a viable option, palm oil production for aviation biofuels would need to adopt sustainable practices. The negative environmental impacts associated with certain bioaviation options, whether due to environmental impact, cost or scalability issues, preclude them as sustainable alternatives. Advances in knowledge, technology and production of suitable biofuel sources are needed to achieve sustainable bio-aviation solutions.
- Facilitated the efforts to address the initial problem
- Singular (only one effect)
Doliente, S. S., Narayan, A., Tapia, J. F. D., Samsatli, N. J., Zhao, Y., & Samsatli, S. (2020). Bio-aviation Fuel: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis of the Supply Chain Components. Frontiers in Energy Research, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00110
Doliente, S. S., Narayan, A., Tapia, J. F. D., Samsatli, N. J., Zhao, Y., & Samsatli, S. (2020). Bio-aviation fuel: a comprehensive review and analysis of the supply chain components. Frontiers in energy research, 8, 110. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2020.00110
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