Flying Towards Net Zero: The Promise of Sustainable Aviation

Rare innovations have revolutionized the way we connect, discover, and experience the world quite like air travel. Throughout history, aviation has connected people, countries, and continents while changing the fabric of our global society.

Over the decades, air travel has evolved from an audacious fantasy to an integral part of modern life, allowing humans to reach new frontiers, both physical and metaphorical. But with this unprecedented advance comes an inescapable truth: the explosive success of air travel has contributed to the current climate crisis. As aircraft engines carry millions of passengers across the world each day, the carbon footprint generated by such motors needs urgent attention.

Thankfully, countries and governments are already thinking of an answer to such a problem. In late 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) pledged to reach net zero flying by 2050; it plans to do so by focusing on a core resource: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) represent a glimmer of hope and a bold proposal for the future of flying. Sustainable Aviation Fuels are an alternative to traditional fossil fuels, and they are derived from plant and animal materials instead of oil, coal, or gas. The term "sustainable" is used to emphasize that the production of SAFs has no detrimental impact on the environment as it does not require land deforestation and does not need large quantities of fresh water to produce.

If compared to any conventional airplane fuel, SAFs are a great ally in the fight against the climate crisis, as they produce up to 80% less CO2 emissions over their lifecycle. As SAFs are created by using waste instead of leaving it to decompose in landfill sites, a process that would generate even more emissions, they represent a clear example of circular economy principles put into practice.

Nevertheless, the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels is not without its challenges. A recent study has highlighted that the number of annual passengers will increase up to 6.9 billion by 2035, and around 450 billion litres of SAF will be required by 2050. This means that SAFs production will need to rapidly increase, given that we used "only" about 100 million litres in 2021. Switching to more sustainable fuels seems to be an essential element for the future of aviation companies, but is it really achievable?

Finland seems to be already working towards a solution. The country's billion-dollar refiner Neste, one of the most influential sustainable aviation fuel companies, is on its path to becoming the world's most extensive provider of renewable fuels; the company already has a global capacity and a production footprint in North America, Asia, and Europe. The Finnish company supports other businesses to reach their climate targets and allows them to set a sustainable travel program for their employees; more importantly, Neste supplies businesses with easy-to-understand, credible reporting and communication tools. 

Achieving a sustainable aviation solution requires a multifaceted approach; this process must tackle the environmental impact of aviation and promote accessibility and collaboration.

Various measures can be taken to promote sustainable aviation activities in Finland and the rest of the world. Besides promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and supporting and encouraging companies like Neste to increase the production of renewable fuels worldwide, it is essential to encourage collaboration between sustainable aviation fuel companies, airlines, and governments, and provide policy incentives and support to the producers and airlines of sustainable aviation fuels.

Companies can be encouraged to introduce sustainable travel programs for their employees by giving them access to believable carbon footprint reports and documenting tools to create a more sustainable aviation enterprise. In addition, investing in research and development of next-generation aviation technologies, educating travelers about sustainable aviation, and promoting continuous improvement and innovation in sustainable aviation are other steps that can contribute to the greener aviation industry.

To sum up, air travel unites people and places, but it is a massive contributor to the climate crisis. The aviation industry is committed to achieving net zero flying by 2050 by using Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Companies like Neste are paving the way in supplying renewable fuels. Achieving sustainable aviation requires promoting the use of SAFs, collaborating between sustainable aviation fuel companies, airlines, and governments, investing in research and development, educating travelers, and promoting innovation; this will decrease the industry's carbon footprint while continuing to connect the world.

References

1. Neste Worldwide. “Neste Worldwide,” July 17, 2023. https://www.neste.com/.
2. Igini, Martina. “4 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Companies Leading the Way to Net-Zero Flying.” Earth.Org, May 30, 2023. https://earth.org/sustainable-aviation-fuel-companies/.