Will Bio-Jet Fly? Towards a Carbon Neutral Aviation Sector. IES Policy Brief Issue 2016/19 • October 2016

Sedefov, Filip and Kalimo, Harri and Söebech, Olof (2016) Will Bio-Jet Fly? Towards a Carbon Neutral Aviation Sector. IES Policy Brief Issue 2016/19 • October 2016. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Aviation has transformed society over the past five decades, effectively shrinking the planet and bringing socio-economic benefits to an increasing number of people. Its unremitting growth does, however, come at a price. Direct emissions from civil aviation account for approximately 2% of global GHG emissions and for 3% of EU emissions. They amount to only a third of those in the road transport sector, but display a high per-passenger intensity and are increasing rapidly along with the relentless rise in demand for air transport. Global projected annual growth rates of 5% up to 2030 could lead to a more than six-fold increase in emissions by 2050 when compared to 1990 levels, which makes aviation the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases in the world. Industry stakeholders are becoming aware of their need to adopt measures to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint, if one is to end up anywhere near the ambitious 1.5°C objective set out at COP21.

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