The aviation industry is a vital sector for the global economy and society, as it enables mobility, connectivity, and trade. However, the aviation industry is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for about 2.5 percent of global CO2 emissions and 3.5 percent of global warming potential. Moreover, the aviation industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, which will further increase its environmental impact.

To address this challenge, the aviation industry has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement and the Science Based Targets initiative. This ambitious goal requires a radical transformation of the aviation industry, involving technological, operational, and policy measures that can accelerate the decarbonization of the sector.

In this article, we will explore some of the key policies and technologies that can enable the decarbonization of the aviation industry, based on the latest research and expert opinions. We will also discuss some of the barriers and opportunities for their implementation and adoption.

Policies for Decarbonizing Aviation Industry

Policies are essential for creating the enabling environment and the incentives for the decarbonization of the aviation industry. Policies can provide the regulatory framework, the financial support, and the stakeholder coordination that are needed to drive the innovation and deployment of low-carbon solutions. Some of the key policies for decarbonizing the aviation industry include:

• Carbon pricing: Carbon pricing is a policy instrument that puts a cost on GHG emissions, either through a tax or a cap-and-trade system. Carbon pricing can create a market signal and a financial incentive for the aviation industry to reduce its emissions, by internalizing the environmental and social costs of carbon. Carbon pricing can also generate revenues that can be used to fund low-carbon initiatives, such as research and development, infrastructure, or subsidies.
• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates: SAF mandates are a policy instrument that require a minimum share of SAF to be blended with conventional jet fuel, either at the national or regional level. SAF are alternative fuels that can reduce the life-cycle GHG emissions of aviation, such as biofuels, synthetic fuels, or hydrogen. SAF mandates can create a stable and predictable demand for SAF, and stimulate the production and supply of SAF.
• Emission standards and goals: Emission standards and goals are a policy instrument that set the maximum allowable GHG emissions or the minimum required GHG reductions for the aviation industry, either at the global, regional, or national level. Emission standards and goals can create a performance benchmark and a compliance obligation for the aviation industry, and drive the improvement and adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices.

Technologies for Decarbonizing Aviation Industry

Technologies are essential for providing the solutions and the options for the decarbonization of the aviation industry. Technologies can offer new and improved ways of designing, operating, and powering aircraft, as well as enhancing the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of aviation. Some of the key technologies for decarbonizing the aviation industry include:

• Aircraft and engine technologies: Aircraft and engine technologies are the technologies that affect the aerodynamics, propulsion, and weight of aircraft, and determine their fuel efficiency and emissions. Aircraft and engine technologies can reduce the GHG emissions of aviation, by improving the design, materials, and components of aircraft and engines, such as winglets, composite structures, or turbofans.
• Operational and digital technologies: Operational and digital technologies are the technologies that affect the management, coordination, and optimization of aviation operations, and determine their productivity and reliability. Operational and digital technologies can reduce the GHG emissions of aviation, by improving the planning, routing, and control of flights, as well as the communication, data, and automation of aviation systems, such as air traffic management, flight management, or predictive maintenance.
• Alternative energy and fuel technologies: Alternative energy and fuel technologies are the technologies that affect the production, distribution, and utilization of energy and fuel for aviation, and determine their availability and affordability. Alternative energy and fuel technologies can reduce the GHG emissions of aviation, by providing low-carbon or zero-carbon sources of energy and fuel for aviation, such as SAF, electricity, or hydrogen.

Barriers and Opportunities for Decarbonizing Aviation Industry

Decarbonizing the aviation industry is a complex and challenging endeavor, that faces various barriers and opportunities. Some of the main barriers and opportunities include:

• Cost and competitiveness: Cost and competitiveness are the economic factors that affect the viability and attractiveness of low-carbon solutions for the aviation industry, and determine their market share and profitability. Cost and competitiveness are a major barrier for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions are often more expensive and less competitive than conventional solutions, due to high capital and operational costs, low economies of scale, and limited incentives and subsidies. However, cost and competitiveness are also a major opportunity for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions can become more affordable and attractive over time, due to technological innovation, learning curves, and policy support.
• Regulation and coordination: Regulation and coordination are the institutional factors that affect the governance and alignment of low-carbon solutions for the aviation industry, and determine their consistency and effectiveness. Regulation and coordination are a major barrier for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions often face regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation, due to the lack of clear and consistent rules, standards, and targets, as well as the diversity and complexity of stakeholders and interests. However, regulation and coordination are also a major opportunity for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions can benefit from regulatory clarity and harmonization, due to the development and implementation of common and coherent policies, frameworks, and agreements, as well as the collaboration and cooperation of stakeholders and partners.
• Innovation and adoption: Innovation and adoption are the technological factors that affect the development and deployment of low-carbon solutions for the aviation industry, and determine their availability and accessibility. Innovation and adoption are a major barrier for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions often face technological uncertainty and inertia, due to the long and complex innovation cycles, the high and risky investment requirements, and the low and slow adoption rates. However, innovation and adoption are also a major opportunity for decarbonizing the aviation industry, as low-carbon solutions can benefit from technological advancement and diffusion, due to the increase and improvement of research and development, the demonstration and validation of technologies, and the awareness and education of users.

Conclusion

The aviation industry is a crucial sector for the global economy and society, but it is also a significant source of GHG emissions. The aviation industry has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which requires a radical transformation of the sector. This transformation involves various policies and technologies that can accelerate the decarbonization of the aviation industry, such as carbon pricing, SAF mandates, emission standards and goals, aircraft and engine technologies, operational and digital technologies, and alternative energy and fuel technologies. However, this transformation also faces various barriers and opportunities, such as cost and competitiveness, regulation and coordination, and innovation and adoption. Therefore, the decarbonization of the aviation industry requires a holistic and collaborative approach, that involves the participation and contribution of all the relevant stakeholders, such as governments, industry, academia, and civil society.