Decarbonising Aviation: SAF and Green Hydrogen as Leading Solutions
Key Ideas
- Commercial aviation sector exploring SAF and green hydrogen to reduce CO2 emissions and decarbonise air transport.
- SAF produced from organic waste can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%, but faces challenges in production, distribution, and cost.
- Hydrogen, emitting only water during combustion, is considered a promising technology by industry analysts for achieving climate neutrality in aviation.
- Transition to hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035 could require significant infrastructure investments for storage and distribution.
The commercial aviation sector is under increasing pressure to reduce CO2 emissions and is considering sustainable alternatives like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and green hydrogen. While aviation has reduced its carbon footprint by 50% in the last 30 years, it still contributes significantly to global emissions. SAF, produced from organic waste, shows promise in reducing emissions by up to 80%, but faces challenges in production, distribution, and cost due to limited feedstock and high expenses. On the other hand, green hydrogen, which emits only water when combusted, is seen as a key technology for achieving climate neutrality. Companies like Airbus are working to implement 100% SAF capacity by 2030 and exploring hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035. However, hydrogen also poses challenges such as low bulk density, storage difficulties, and the need for new infrastructure at airports. Collaboration among aviation stakeholders globally is essential for successful decarbonization efforts in the industry.