Environmental sustainability is becoming a core focus in the aviation industry. Following the ravages of the pandemic, the context of the global climate crisis creates the conditions for the next existential challenge for air transport. With increasing customer, investor, and societal scrutiny on carbon emissions, noise pollution, energy demands and non-CO₂ impacts, aviation leaders and managers must be well-versed in sustainability principles.

Understanding the fundamentals of environmental sustainability is crucial for making informed decisions for both day-to-day and strategic decisions, as well as identifying opportunities for regulatory compliance, competitive advantage and long-term operational efficiency.

The challenge of commitment: aviation's net-zero future

Responding to this challenge, aviation industry commitments to decarbonisation and achieving net-zero emissions involve multiple stakeholders, including governments, airlines, airports and international organisations. 

The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) goal of net-zero carbon emissions for aviation by 2050, supports the United Nations’ Paris Agreement, the legally binding international treaty on climate change.

Many airlines have also committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen and electric propulsion, and operational efficiencies. The UK Jet Zero Strategy targets net-zero domestic aviation by 2040 and net-zero international aviation by 2050. In the United States, despite political uncertainty, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge continues, with a stated aim for three billion gallons of SAF annually by 2030.

Sustainability is also increasingly a compliance issue for operators. The European Union “Fit for 55” package mandates SAF blending and increased carbon pricing for aviation. From 2027, airlines will be mandated to monitor, report and offset their emissions under the CORSIA programme (Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). 

But whilst the commitments are clear, the challenge is significant and likely to require investment in a complex combination of technology innovations, operational changes, regulatory developments and financial incentives throughout the aviation ecosystem. As a global industry, aviation sustainability requires strong capacity building and resourceful collaboration of stakeholders around the world, including regions most affected by climate change yet, at the same time, most reliant on the connectivity and economic benefits of air transport. In a safety critical, strictly regulated yet highly competitive industry, decarbonisation is difficult.

Soaring with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)?

Superficially, simply replacing carbon-emitting, kerosene-based jet fuel with SAF appears to be the answer. However, availability is extremely low and scaling-up SAF requires significant investment and infrastructure. Market opportunity may overcome these matters in time, but there are deeper issues of limited feedstocks potentially competing with food production or creating indirect emissions from land use changes. 

SAF is not straight-forward, the term refers not to a single type of fuel, but instead a broad spectrum of fuels generated using different technologies and feedstocks, each with their own properties and potential challenges. Moreover, SAF does not eliminate CO₂. emissions completely and its implications for non-CO₂. impacts contributing to global warming need further study. Simply put, SAF is not the silver-bullet.

Formation flying: collective and collaborative contribution

As with safety and security, the aviation industry has the character and opportunity to succeed in the sustainability challenge through combined effort. Collaboration across boundaries and between stakeholders will enable the creation of a collection of initiatives to reduce the industry’s environmental impact: 

• New aircraft and engine design incorporating fuel-efficient technologies.
• New aviation fuels including electrification and hydrogen.
• Policies, legislation and regulation influencing and incentivising emissions reduction.
• Increased availability and adoption of the right types of SAF. 
• Improved air traffic management processes and technologies.
• Customer expectations and corporate social responsibility opportunities.
• Enhancing energy efficiency and renewable energy use at airports
• Managing air quality and noise impacts on local communities.
• Reducing water consumption and improving waste management practices.
• Understanding and addressing non-CO₂. impacts, such as contrails and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Navigating the future for aviation sustainability 

Aviation is a global, multi-dimensional and interdependent industry so aviation professionals are adept at navigating complex challenges. Leading the industry towards a sustainable future, it is now critical that air transport managers and leaders add an understanding of sustainability fundamentals to their repertoire. Implications are manifold and require appreciation of how sustainability policies and regulations may transpire, whilst grasping opportunities for sustainable practices to lead to cost savings, efficiency improvements, and access to green financing. Reputation, brand loyalty and competitive advantages will emerge whilst the operational implications of emerging technologies and processes will manifest. 

As environmental sustainability becomes a defining factor in the future of aviation, industry leaders must embrace sustainable practices, policies, and technologies. Understanding the fundamentals of aviation sustainability is not just a compliance requirement but a strategic necessity for long-term success. By integrating sustainable operations, innovative fuel technologies, and proactive environmental management, aviation managers can drive the industry toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

Author

Professor Anna Smallwood is an experienced aviation professional, applying her background in airline leadership to heading the Cranfield University Centre for Air Transport Management, along with developing associated research activities at the unique Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) facility at Cranfield University.